Demolition of the BGMEA Building, illegally built on the Hatirjheel in the capital by Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) violating the laws of the land, begins today.
Housing and Public Works Minister S M Rezaul Karim inaugurated the demolition works in front of the building around 12:45pm.
Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (Rajuk) issued the work order in favour of Four Star Enterprise on Tuesday evening for demolishing the building in six months.
Last year in April, Rajuk took the responsibility to demolish the building following a court order.
The then prime minister Sheikh Hasina laid the foundation stone of the building on November 28, 1998.
On October 8, 2006, the then prime minister Khaleda Zia inaugurated the 15-storey BGMEA premises but only afterwards was it found that it was constructed illegally.
The BGMEA building, constructed on two bighas of land, has a total space of 2.66 lakh square feet; the association owned 1.40 lakh square feet of this space. The rest was sold, leased or rented out to different individuals or companies.
The main building had several conveniences such as restaurants, a gymnasium, swimming pool, conference rooms and two-storey basement car parking. The total value of the building is estimated at more than Tk 300 crore, according to BGMEA.