Ministry denies Secretariat building report as misleading.
The Ministry of Housing and Public Works today
refuted a report published in Prothom Alo titled "21-storey building to be
built at Secretariat at a cost of Taka 53,000 per square metre," describing
it as misleading and based on incomplete information.
In a statement, the ministry said the report came to its notice recently and
created confusion among the public due to inaccurate presentation of project
details.
According to the ministry, there are currently 12 buildings at the Bangladesh
Secretariat constructed between 1939 and 2025. In response to the growing
number of ministries and increasing demand for office space, a modernization
programme is underway under a new master plan to address shortages of office
accommodation and parking facilities.
As part of the initiative, a new building is planned in place of Building No.
1, originally constructed in 1939, which is now 87 years old and vulnerable
to earthquakes.
The ministry said the existing structure is not capable of withstanding an
earthquake of magnitude 6 on the Richter scale. Construction of the proposed
building is expected to ease space constraints for officials and staff.
Clarifying the project cost, the ministry said the proposed 21-storey
building will include four basements and an underground water reservoir.
Excluding basement costs, VAT, income tax and profit margins, the
construction cost stands at Taka 3,500.86 per square feet, while the basement
portion alone will cost Taka 759.65 per square feet.
It said the published report calculated the cost in square metres, which led
to a misinterpretation. The ministry also noted that the building is designed
as a high-rise structure with each floor having a height of 13.5 feet and
equipped with modern facilities.
These include advanced fire safety systems, solar panels, central air
conditioning, heat-insulating low-E glass, rainwater harvesting system,
modern facade lighting, car parking, and safe drinking water booth on every
floor, among other facilities.
Considering all aspects, the ministry said the project cost is reasonable and
justified.
The ministry also urged media outlets to refrain from publishing incomplete
or misleading reports in the future, saying such information can create
unnecessary confusion among the public.
