PM opens projects to build 52,500 flats

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday laid the foundation stone for construction of flats at Uttara Model Town formally kicking off a Rajuk plan to build 52,500 flats for lower and lower middle-income people under three massive projects.
Two hundred and sixty high-rises with 22,512 flats will be constructed on 214 acres of land at Uttara Sector-18. Three types of flats -- 850 square feet, 1,050 sqft and 1,250 sqft -- will be built under the Tk 8,625 crore Uttara Model Town Phase-3 Project.
Moreover, 20,000 flats will be built under Purbachal New Town Project and about 10, 000 under Jhilmil Residential Project of Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (Rajuk)
The PM said people will get the flats on hire-purchase basis. They will own those by paying money as rent of the flats.
She directed Rajuk to give priority in allotment of flats to people affected by the projects, and keep flats reserved for people who made significant contribution to various fields like literature, art and sports.
Turning to unplanned growth of the capital, Hasina blamed Rajuk for this. It permitted construction of buildings without proper plan, she mentioned.
The prime minister asked Rajuk to ensure all kinds of civic amenities like schools, day care centres and lakes at its new projects including satellite towns. She also stressed provisions for harvesting rainwater.
She also asked Rajuk to complete allotment of the flats during the tenure of this government.
The premier directed Rajuk to take stern action against grabbers of Gulshan lake. Encroachments on water bodies including canals, ponds and jheels reduced recharging of ground water, and thereby increased chances of earthquake, she noted.
On the persisting power, water and gas crises, Hasina said the pervious four-party alliance government's corruption and inactivity have resulted in this situation.
She said two power projects for generating 150 MW each were approved in 2001 but those were not implemented by the alliance government.
Cost of the projects has now increased three times. And the revised projects were approved by the Ecnec on Tuesday, Hasina mentioned.
Many such projects were not implemented due to corruption and malpractices of the four-party government, she alleged.
The PM emphasised a policy of decentralisation to reduce the pressure on the capital.
To expedite development of the country, power will be distributed at district and upazila levels, while budgetary allocation will be made centrally, Hasina said.
About housing projects, she said her government will try to ensure that not a single person remains without a house.
Others who spoke at the function included Home Minister Sahara Khatun, State Minister for Housing Abdul Mannan Khan, acting secretary of housing ministry MA Hannan and Rajuk Chairman Md Nurul Huda.