The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Undertakings on Thursday recommended strict measures to stop the construction of buildings in the capital in violation of approved designs, and to end unauthorised commercial activities in residential areas.

The committee of the 13th Jatiya Sangsad held its fourth meeting at the Cabinet Room of the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban, with its chairman and Chief Whip Nurul Islam Moni in the chair.

The meeting reviewed the overall activities of the Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (Rajuk), its ongoing housing and infrastructure development projects, and its financial management and audit reports.

The committee directed Rajuk to carry out regular monitoring and run mobile courts, alongside ensuring strict enforcement of the law, to stop the harassment of customers by real estate developers.

It also recommended that plots due to people affected by land acquisition for Purbachal New Town project be ensured without delay.

The committee stressed the need to investigate past irregularities in plot allocation and the dominance of middlemen, and to take necessary action.

Rajuk was also asked to take steps to expand housing facilities through the construction of multi-storey apartments, instead of new land-based projects.

For planned and sustainable urbanisation, the committee laid emphasis on an integrated utility system and underground cabling, fire safety measures in new commercial buildings, adequate washrooms and prayer spaces, and the preservation of Dhaka's lakes.

It also recommended a feasibility study on expanding solar power in the capital.

Expressing concern over delays in audit activities, the committee urged the use of modern digital systems to complete audits swiftly and settle audit objections.

Committee members and officials concerned from the Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG), the Ministry of Housing and Public Works, Rajuk, the National Housing Authority and the Jatiya Sangsad Secretariat attended the meeting.