Residents of the RupayanSwapnoniloy Residential Complex on Siddheshwari Road in the city have urged authorities to take urgent action against the illegal commercial use of their community building and violations of fire safety rules. According to flat owners, the developer Rupayan Housing has ignored the approved design by RAJUK and broken agreements with buyers by setting up several restaurants and a super shop inside the community building. This has created a serious fire hazard for the residents.
A resident, speaking anonymously, said that the community building has no fire hydrant or water reservoir. The WASA water line has its main valve shut off, so in case of a fire, there will be a water shortage. He also said illegal gas cylinders are being stored dangerously - around 10-15 cylinders are kept in the kitchen and basement of the Green Lounge Restaurant, which doesn’t even have a proper gas chamber.
Another flat owner said Rupayan has still not registered flats for around 110 buyers, although they promised registration for Tk 15 lakh. Now they are demanding Tk 40-55 lakh per flat. The Flat Owners’ Association of Swapnoniloy has already filed complaints to RAJUK, WASA, Dhaka South City Corporation, Fire Service, Ramna Police Station, and the Department of Environment - but no action has been taken. According to the complaints, Rupayan Housing built four 14-story residential towers and a three-story community building at 55/1 (old 56-57) Siddheshwari Road.
Buyers of 130 flats received their apartments on February 15, 2020, under the RAJUK-approved plan, which included a beauty salon and video shop on the first floor of the community building, separate male and female gyms on the second, and a common service area on the third. But instead, the building now hosts restaurants and a super shop, violating the original design and risking lives.Even though there’s no proper water storage, the building is using illegal WASA water connections, and the fire line valve is shut, which could cause a disaster during a fire.As gas cylinders are being stored carelessly, the situation is dangerous for all.
One association member said, "After the recent deadly fire at Kacchi Bhai restaurant on Bailey Road that killed 46 people, we are even more terrified." Another major fire also occurred recently at Siraj Capital in the same area, he said. On February 9, 2025, RAJUK’s mobile court fined Rupayan Tk 3 lakh and ordered the closure of illegal commercial operations, but the businesses are still running.
Around 700 residents under 130 flats now live in fear of a fire disaster.Since the community building is connected to the basement and part of a condominium, a fire there would also affect all the residential buildings, said flat owners.The residents are urging the government to take immediate action and enforce proper safety measures in the community building.
Despite RAJUK’s fine and demolition orders, no changes have been made. In fact, Rupayan has expanded its illegal restaurant by building a 15-foot high steel structure next to the rooftop swimming pool, violating the agreement with the 130 flat owners. RAJUK sources confirmed that Rupayan is under investigation for illegally selling parts of the community building to commercial businesses without handing it over to the flat owners.
The Director General of Fire Service and Civil Defence said, "We’ve received the complaint. We’ll investigate quickly and take legal action if needed."The flat owners’ association is preparing for legal action, they said.When contacted, Saiful Islam, the Chief Operating Officer of Rupayan, declined to comment. RAJUK official Abdullah Al Mamun confirmed the Tk 3 lakh fine and the demolition order but said actions will be taken soon.
Another RAJUK source revealed that Rupayan also hid a court status quo order in their Uttara project (Rupayan City), while applying for land use clearance. As a result, RAJUK cancelled the land use permission in February 2025. A letter signed by RAJUK Deputy Town Planner Abu Kawsar stated that the company applied for land use approval without disclosing an existing civil court case (No. 5/13) and violated condition No. 5 of the approval.Hence, the land use permit (Memo No. RAJUK/NPR/Zone-2/195/15/0310) given on May 26, 2015 was cancelled on February 16, 2025.
