RAJSHAHI, Nov 28: At least 250 houses have been affected due to their demolition for the development work of a road stretching 2,300 metres from Fultala Ghat to Mizaner Mor in Rajshahi city.
Of the houses, some were demolished completely and some partially for the development work involving Tk28.38 million. A few of the houses are now facing threat of collapse.
However, the owners have not been able to repair their dismantled houses as they have not yet received any compensation for the loss. Consequently, they are living a miserable life with their families.
According to sources, work of the road's widening and construction of new drains from Fultala to Mizaner Mor in Rajshahi city are being done by two contractor companies separately.
Due to slow pace in work, extreme dissatisfaction has arisen among the local residents.
Besides, around 250 houses near the drain have been badly damaged due to unplanned work. But no compensation has been given to the affected house owners.
Affected house owners complained that about four months ago, work of road widening and construction of new drains started from Fultala to Mizaner More.
Two contractors are doing the work separately. However, due to the unplanned construction of drains, the houses could not be extended.
And the houses and shops on Khas land were demolished without giving any kind of notice. Again no compensation was given.
Anwara Begum, member of an affected house adjacent to Phultala, said, 'My rickshaw-puller husband Abdul Mannan bought four acres of land and built a house leaving 25 feet. He died a few days ago."
At present, a large part of the house has encroached on the government land and the extended part has been demolished. Monira Akhter, daughter of deceased Abdul Mannan, said, "Two of the five small houses where 10 members of the family live have been demolished. I am in a helpless condition as the house built on my own land was demolished without any notice. Unable to repair, we are living a subhuman life."Meanwhile, Chahar Ali who returned to his family two years ago after serving 22 years in jail died in a road accident six months ago.
His helpless wife Rahim Begum said, "The residents of the area requested me not to demolish my house, but almost half of the house including the toilet was demolished. I now have to live in someone else's house as there is no toilet and I cannot repair the house for want of money."
On the other hand, Abu Bakar Siddique Shanto, a resident of Char Kajala area of Ward No. 28 of Rajshahi city, said, 'According to the design of 1962, we built houses leaving some spaces open as per the government instruction. But as per the 1972 design, my house fell almost two feet into the government land, to our unawareness."
"Recently, the contractors have started demolishing the extended part of the road. The entire house is still weak and is about to collapse," she added.
When asked about the risk of landslide, Akram Hossain Sagar, work assistant of Rajshahi City Corporation (RCC), said, "It is difficult to continue work as the soil here is very soft. Some houses are under threat of collapse.'
Noor Islam, chief engineer of RCC, said, 'There is no opportunity to give compensation from the corporation without land acquisition. However, many of those affected have been managed and helped in various ways. If anyone else wants help, ask them to give list. Then attempt will be made to give assistance.'
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