50 hotels in Dhaka’s residential areas

There are at least 50 hotels in residential areas of Dhaka city, according to a report prepared by the Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (RAJUK) last December. There are 3-star, 4-star, and even 5-star hotels in Gulshan and Banani areas, a clear violation of the rules of RAJUK’s rules. 

The reason behind these hotels springing up in this is costs. The cost of commercial plots is five times higher than residential ones.

RAJUK prepared a list of those hotels to increase revenue from the sector.

Former RAJUK chairman Bazlul Karim Chowdhury told Prothom Alo that a court ruling has held up RAJUK’s action in this regard. There are also accusations against RAJUK that it is allowing the hotels to run business which is not true, he said, adding, “We are trying to complete the hearing in any court.”

The officer authorised for Gulshan and Banani, Adiluzzaman, told Prothom Alo there are 50 hotels in residential areas. These were constructed in violation of the laws. RAJUK can cancel the allocation of these plots at any time.

These hotels are mainly used by foreigners.

Bangladesh Hotel and Guest House Owners Association president Saif Ahmed said “A number of countries have guest houses in residential areas, but I don’t have anything to say about hotels.”

Most of these hotels are owned by political leaders, offspring of parliament members, industrialists and businessmen.

The Marriott Guest House at plot 5 in Gulshan road 54, is owned by former AL MP HBM Iqbal. He said his guest house is in a commercial area and so is the building. But he declined to comment on why his guest house’s name is in RAJUK’s list of illegal hotels.

Lake Shore hotel located at plot 46 in road 41 of Gulshan, and its owned by Kazi Shamsul Huq.

Tanvir Alam owns Four Points by Sheraton at 16/B plot, road  35, Gulshan, but he could not be reached as he is abroad.

The owner of the guest house Golden Deer Limited Obayed Ullah Mia said “it’s only a guest house, not a hotel.”

Industrialist Shariful Alam is running Long Beach hotel on a residential at plot 4/G, road 104, Gulshan. He was not available last Saturday in his hotel, and the officers in the hotel declined to give his phone number.

However, one of the officials said they do not know anything about any ban on running such a business in the building.

*This piece, originally published in Prothom Alo Bangla print edition, has been rewritten in English by Sitesh Kumar Saha.