The government has taken initiatives to take up housing projects for the low-income people, especially the slum dwellers, in various cities across the country. In this regard, a meeting was held today in the conference room of the Ministry of Housing and Public Works with Minister RAM Obaidul Muktadir Chowdhury in the chair, said a press release. Housing and Public Works Secretary Md Nabirul Islam, additional secretaries, National Housing Authority Chairman Md. Mostafizur Rahman, Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (RAJUK) Chairman Major General Md Siddiqur Rahman Sarker (Retd) and senior officials of various departments/organizations of the ministry were present. The minister, according to the instructions of the Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, directed to prepare the necessary project proposal for the construction of rental flats for the low income people and send it to the ministry as soon as possible. In the implementation of the project, the minister suggested environmental protection, necessary forestation , preservation of open space, setting up of playgrounds, sewerage treatment plants, maximum use of solar energy, use of block bricks instead of traditional bricks, provision of rainwater harvesting, and maximum use of surface water. Initially, he directed the implementation of the proposal under the National Housing Authority to construct 12,600 flats in 100 multi-storied buildings in three phases in Dattapara of Tongi at the earliest. Feasibility study of this project has already been completed. In the first phase of the project, a total of 2,142 residential flats will be constructed in 17 buildings. Proposals for construction of 5,922 flats in 47 buildings in the 2nd phase and 5,436 flats in 36 buildings in the third phase are under process. The minister directed the Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (RAJUK) and Public Works Department to take up projects for construction of flats for low-income people in Karail slums and T andT Colony slums of the capital through separate projects. He gave verbal instructi ons to the chief architect to take necessary measures to prepare a standard design for these flats of 750 square feet gross area. The minister also said that 10 acres of land has been earmarked for the housing of low-income people in the Uttara Housing Project (Phase III) under implementation by Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (RAJUK). Muktadir directed to prepare project proposals for the construction of flats for the housing of low-income people on the said land as soon as possible. He said that in addition to own financing for the implementation of the project, financing from various development aid organizations will also be accepted if possible. The National Housing Authority has constructed 533 rent-based flats for the slum dwellers in Mirpur area in the capital. They are living comfortably in these flats, Muktadir said. The landless slum dwellers in Kobdas of Sirajganj district have been rehabilitated through a project. The minister suggested using the experience of these projects in taking up the next project. Along with that, he suggested for positive publicity about these philanthropic activities of the government. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
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