The process to demolish the building of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) will be completed in three months.
Housing and Public Works Minister SM Rezaul Karim gave the information at a media briefing in his Secretariat office on Wednesday, reports bdnews24.com.
"The work order to demolish the BGMEA building will be issued at the end of April," the minister said.
A tender has been floated for carrying out demolition work on the building, the minister said.
"The deadline to submit applications is April 24 and the selection will be finalised on April 25. The government will choose a foreign organisation if a suitable Bangladeshi organisation is not found," he added.
“BGMEA building has been erected like a tumour in the middle of Hatirjheel’s water body. The authorities weren’t careful enough during the construction of the building. As a result, the building was erected there unnecessarily. The responsibility for this fiasco falls on many of us at different levels."
The authorities of several organisations shifting their goods from the 15-storey BGMEA headquarters on Tuesday as Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha, the city developing agency, moves to demolish the building constructed illegally on the Hatirjheel canal.
The process to demolish the BGMEA Bhaban began on Tuesday. The Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha, or RAJUK, has already taken control of the 15-storey building and sealed it off on Tuesday evening in accordance with an order by the Supreme Court.
"We have called for tenders from those interested in demolishing the building and published an advert in this regard has been printed in Wednesday’s newspaper.”
“Rajuk will conduct the demolition process if appropriate organisations are not found," the minister said.
Twelve years ago, several workers carrying out the demolition of Rangs Plaza 12 years died after parts of the structure collapsed during the process.
Recalling the incident, Karim said that organisations with expertise in the field of demolition will be prioritised. Expert consultancy firms abroad have also been contacted to minimise risks.
“The gas, power, water, telephone and other utility connections to the building have already been removed before the start of the demolition work. Now we need to create a safe atmosphere. We have several plans to make the operation safe for all," said Karim.
The authorities will utilise “modern technology” to demolish the building, the minister said. “It could be dynamites or other means.”
