From now on allocation of plots in those areas will be cancelled after June 1, 2004. Earlier Rajuk set a May 10 deadline for owners to stop redesigning their residential properties.

"We have extended the deadline to allow owners enough time to dismantle their commercial buildings. It is our goal to make sure that all residential areas stay residential and environmentally-friendly," said Rajuk chairman Iqbal Uddin Chowdhury.

"We cannot and will not extend the date anymore. It's also the first time we have taken such a tough stand."

It was found that a total of 139 illegal structures in the Gulshan and Banani were being used for commercial purposes (restaurants, schools, market, mini-malls and boutiques). Rajuk sent out letters warning the violators they risked losing their plot allocation. The circular was also carried in all major newspapers.

But the owners alleged they never received the letters. Moreover some have even taken legal action against Rajuk itself.

In most cases owners duped Rajuk by showing false designs to get past the red-tape.

"Some dishonest Rajuk officials helped them to trick the authority, otherwise, it's not possible to construct business structures in residential areas," a Rajuk official said.

In other parts of the city like Uttara, however, Rajuk is fairing is much better. There it has found 22 commercial structures and most have been transformed.

"Among the 22 structures, 21 are now residential which is really encouraging. This should be a clear message to other violators," the Rajuk chairman said.

In a city where space is of a premium, the increasing number of commercial enterprises is not only spoiling the beauty of residential areas but also adding an extra burden in terms of traffic, pollution and utilities. It comes as no surprise that Rajuk's tough stance is being welcomed.

"Because Gulshan is fast becoming a commercial area, so traffic congestion has increased and we have little or no privacy," complained a resident

But while that might be true, it is believed that the situation has been allowed to drift as most owners are allowed to operate knowing they are protected by influential persons.

"They were allocated plots for building homes, but later they started running guest houses, restaurants, shops or other businesses. And nobody can say or do anything since they are protected by high-ups in the government," a Rajuk official was quoted as saying.