Dhaka: The High Court has issued a six-month injunction restraining the authorities concerned from disconnecting electricity, gas, and water connections to under-construction buildings in Dhaka. The order came in response to a writ petition filed by the Real Estate and Housing Association of Bangladesh (REHAB), seeking protection against the disconnection of utility services at construction sites.

According to United News of Bangladesh, a media release issued by REHAB on Sunday afternoon stated that the court directed WASA, RAJUK, and the power division to refrain from disconnecting any utility connections during this period. The bench of Justice Sikder Mahmudur Razi and Justice Raziuddin Ahmed passed the order recently.

During the hearing, REHAB highlighted the potential adverse impacts of disconnecting utility services. The court, considering these submissions, issued the interim order focusing on humanitarian aspects, including the daily lives of families residing in partially constructed buildings and their reliance on water and electricity.

In its order, the court instructed the authorities to maintain the status quo on utility services until the matter’s final resolution. This decision provides immediate relief to owners and developers from potential hardships.

The court acknowledged that disconnection of water and electricity often leads to severe crises, which influenced the issuance of the injunction. REHAB reported that over the past few months, more than 1,200 electricity meters were disconnected from various under-construction and partially completed buildings with the assistance of RAJUK, DESCO, DPDC, and other power distribution companies.

The association argued that these disconnections have effectively stalled many construction projects, resulting in halted activities, job losses for workers, delayed flat handovers, and significant financial losses for developers. The situation also complicated matters such as loan repayments, client contract maintenance, and investment stagnation, negatively impacting the housing sector overall.

Citing these issues, REHAB sought court intervention, leading to the interim injunction against the concerned authorities.