March 29, 2024, 9:42 pm


FT online

Published:
2019-03-18 20:46:00 BdST

RAJUK project: ‘Dream flats’ bring trouble to owners


RAJUK’s apartment project in Uttara has yet to be completed though it is three years past its initial deadline. The flats are being handed over to owners without ensuring they have the proper utilities.

Many owners are facing difficulties after moving into their ‘dream flats’. Others who have received the keys are not moving in because they lack confidence in the conditions of the homes.

Some flat-owners have alleged that they were forced to move in by RAJUK. The capital development agency has denied the allegations, saying that the owners entered the flats willingly.

The project was approved by the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council on April 25, 2000. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina laid the foundation stone of the project on April 21, 2010. The project was due to be completed by June 2016.  A total of 20,160 flats were supposed to be built at the 240 buildings in the project.

RAJUK has said that it has allocated 840 flats in the first phase, 2,621 in the second phase and 797 in the third phase. Owners have received 922 flat keys for the flats and 60 families have moved in so far.

NO END TO TROUBLES

Those who have not yet received their flat keys are facing difficulties, as are those who have already moved in.

People living in the apartments have many complaints: The boundary wall of the project area has not been constructed yet and there is no security. There is no waste management system. There is no electricity and the elevators do not work in many buildings.

Although liquid petroleum gas tanks have been installed, those do not contain gas. Mobile networks are not available in any of the buildings. Educational institutions, markets and all other facilities available to citizens are still out of reach.

“We expected to receive our flats in 2016. Those of us who have yet to receive keys are suffering financially. We cannot move into the flats we bought and we still have to pay rent at our current homes,” said Mohammad Nasiruzzaman, former district food controller.

"We live in insecurity because of the absence of boundary wall. No-one can reach me anymore after I enter the building because of mobile network problems. There are no shops or markets. One has to go to Uttara to buy even necessities like eggs. Some people are moving in and then moving out,” said Mosharof Hossain Rana, a flat owner.

“This is a farce. They were supposed to provide us with gas. There is a gas line but there is no gas. How can a person go and live there?” said Masum Billah, another apartment owner, adding that the flats were prematurely declared ready by RAJUK.

“I will not say that the flats are unliveable. But we are facing various problems and living with many challenges,” Nur Hossain said.

RAJUK’S STATEMENT

RAJUK Uttara Apartment Project Director Md Anwar Hossain has denied allegations of pressurising flat-owners to move in.

“RAJUK has not pressurised anyone. The unfinished work will be completed soon,” he said, claiming that the flat-owners had forcefully entered the flats themselves.

"Setting up of waste management system will take three months. By the end of March, 100 per cent of the flats will receive electricity.”

He also said that it will be difficult to supply gas if all the flat-owners who have received keys do not move in.

“Gas will be supplied to homes from LP gas tank through pipes.  If there are not enough users, gas cannot be loaded into the tank,” he said.

The police have been contacted for security, said Anwarul Islam.

“RAJUK does not have a security team. We have sent a letter to the police to send in patrolling officers. For now, we have requisitioned some Ansars. They will start their work from April 1.”

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