A sign reading 'Karnaphuli Residential Area' stands by a road that goes through the residential area developed by Chittagong Development Authority on the southern bank of Karnaphuli river about 15 years ago. But all the plots have since been lying vacant due to lack of water supply system. Photo: STAR

Chittagong Development Authority (CDA) has taken an initiative to revitalise its Silimpur and Karnaphuli housing projects where lack of utility services frustrated the plot holders.
Under the move, CDA would make arrangement to develop water supply system and educational and other facilities to help the allottees go for immediate housing there.
With the allotment of 1521 plots in Ananya Residential Area on April 21 the CDA has so far allocated 2351 residential plots under three projects, including Kalpoloke R/A phase 1 and 2 since March 22 in 2006, sources said.
On the other hand it could allocate 3526 plots in eight other housing projects since 1961.
Of the eight housing projects, Silimpur R/A and Karnaphuli R/A lacked in utility and other services discouraging the allottees from taking possession of their plots.
Silimpur Residential Area is the first housing project taken in 1962 to develop plots on 166.18 acres of land amid a panoramic view of Silimpur under Sitakunda Police Station at an estimated cost of Tk 12.64 crore.
Under the project CDA developed 1029 plots and a separate flat block on 26.27 acres in 1979 and 1983 respectively.
The plot holders said despite having allotments over two decades ago they could not take possession of their plots due to lack of utility and other services.
Under the situation CDA has taken an initiative to provide gas supply and develop facilities like education, healthcare and mosque in Silimpur R/A.
“Process is on to develop a medical complex, educational institutes and a mosque at the project site,” said CDA Chairman Shah Muhammad Akhteruddin.
In this regard he referred to the advertisement published in different dailies on September 24 inviting interested quarters to set up schools and colleges on 2.4 acres of land in the education zone of the residential area.
“Besides, we have a plan to develop housing for the low income people on the flat blocks there,” he said, adding that CDA paid Tk 2.5 crore for gas lines at Silimpur R/A where water and power were available now.
CDA has taken steps to provide water supply at Karnaphuli R/A where 516 plots were developed on about 50 acres of land on the southern bank of the Karnaphuli.
Non-availability of groundwater hindered handing over of the plots at Karnaphuli R/A to the allottees although 15 years have elapsed since implementation of the housing project in 1993.
“We are planning to make arrangement for water supply to Karnaphuli R/A from deep tube-well to be installed some one kilometers to the south of the project site,” said Akhteruddin while talking to this correspondent.
“Opening of the 3rd Karnaphuli Bridge next year would accelerate development of housing on the other bank of the river Karnaphuli. Keeping this in mind we have taken initiative to build educational institute, mosque and market as well as other services at Karnaphuli R/A that has arrangement for gas and power supply,” he said.
“To ensure utility services at Kalpakoloke housing project 2nd phase CDA paid Tk 3.5 crore for power supply, Tk 6.22 crore for gas and Tk 84 lakh for water connection,” he added.