Dhaka, Nov 7: The current Hatirjheel with a lake extending from Magbazar within the capital to Gudaraghat (between Gulshan-1 and Baddar Hyperlink Highway). The quantity of land right here is 300 acres. Part of the lake flows eastwards from Gudaraghat. One other Hatirjheel can be constructed with one other 298 acres of lake from Gudaraghat to the japanese Banani cemetery. Because of this, it’ll flip into an uninterrupted lake or Hatirjheel of about 600 acres. After its implementation, the waterway from Maghbazar to Banani Cemetery may be reached constantly by water taxi or on foot.
Work on the ‘Gulshan-Banani-Baridhara Lake Growth Challenge’ was began in July 2010 to reinforce the fantastic thing about the lake from Gudaraghat to Banani Cemetery, development of roads, bridges and footpaths. It was supposed to finish in June 2013. 10 years have handed since then, however the undertaking has not been accomplished. The undertaking time has been prolonged 4 instances within the center. This time it’s proposed to increase the time for the fifth time. Moreover, there was a proposal to extend the price by 1,091 p.c. To this point, the whole value of the undertaking was 410 crore 25 lakh 52 thousand rupees. Now it has been proposed to extend the price by Tk 4,475.65 crore to Tk 4,711.32 crore.
The undertaking is being applied by the Capital Growth Authority (RAJUK) on the initiative of the Ministry of Housing and Public Works. They’ve despatched these proposals of the undertaking to the Ministry of Planning for revision.
In accordance with undertaking sources, RAJUK will purchase 43 acres of land within the Karail slum by occupying the lake. They are going to evict 3602 households residing on 43 acres of land. Every household can be given Rs 48,000 as compensation.
The RDPP (Revised Growth Challenge Proposal) states, ‘Beneath this undertaking, 72.56 acres of land can be acquired. 203 crore eight lakh can be spent for land acquisition and compensation for set up.
Aminur Rahman Sumon, RAJUK official and undertaking director of Gulshan, Banani and Baridhara Lake Growth Challenge, stated, “This lake has been occupied by the wealthy in addition to the poor. Our most important goal is to rescue the lake. The lake is however a channel of water. The overall lake is 298 acres. I’ll save 72 acres of land in it. I’ll rescue 43 acres from the place the place the lake of Karail slum is. Not Karail slum however, a part of the slum aspect. There can be slum consumption. I’ll solely evict the homes which can be on the water physique. It is already a lake. They had been residing on the lake.
‘About 80,000 households in Karail Basti. I am not giving up there. I’ve no potential to go to that place. We’ll simply work on the place on the water physique. We’ll rehabilitate 3802 households, ”added the undertaking officer.
Explaining the 72 acres, he additional stated, ’43 acres of T&T land in Karail mouza. There are some locations in Mohakhali mouza the place there are 25 acres of public land. A highway from the again of the capturing complicated alongside the lake results in the Indian Embassy. There are 10 acres in that highway. And there are Three acres in Badda mouza. ‘
A gathering of the Challenge Analysis Committee (PEC) was lately held on the Ministry of Planning on the undertaking proposal. There, the Planning Fee questioned, “The ECNEC assembly held on October 11, 2016 determined to restructure the DPP with a full research and correct planning of what number of households can be evicted from the Karail slum, the place and rehabilitate them.” The survey report connected to the proposed RDPP doesn’t clarify suggestions on this regard. RDPP Web page 405 proposes a provision of Tk 16 crore for the rehabilitation of solely 3,602 households, out of which Tk 48,000 per household can be offered for post-eviction rehabilitation. The implementing company can inform the assembly in regards to the rehabilitation plan of Karail slum dwellers.
Aminur Rahman Sumon stated that there isn’t any plan to provide every other rehabilitation facility to each household besides Tk 48,000. “It is not potential to extend prices,” he stated.
The undertaking director stated, ‘The federal government rehabilitates with the worth of land. In accordance with the foundations, I will pay if the land is acquired. The issue right here is that those that dwell in Karail slum don’t personal homes or land. The proprietor of the land is the federal government’s T&T. Which means I can not pay the worth of land to the individuals of Karail. And the home shouldn’t be his. They’re rented. They don’t seem to be getting that both. Legally we can’t pay the worth of their land or home. However they do. They should bear the price of shifting in a single place. I’ll give Rs 48,000 to every household in order that they’ll keep after consuming and shifting for 2 or three months. We’ve surveyed each room by means of NGOs and talked to them about this. What would you like Why do you reside in such an unhealthy atmosphere? We talked to them and provided them the best way they needed. ‘
Requested what would occur to those that constructed homes on the lake, the undertaking director stated, “They need to be punished.” Requested whether or not he would convey them below the regulation or not, he stated, “The place shouldn’t be in our fingers now. It’s now owned by T&T. And we won’t go to the place owned by others even when we wish to. Once we get the land acquisition, we’ll work with the military. Then we’ll resolve on that. ‘
Explaining the aim of the undertaking, Aminur Rahman Sumon stated, “Our most important goal is to revive the lake and make it a everlasting one. Walkways and roads on either side of the lake. When the highway is finished, the highway will proceed. Then for 2 days in a row that is my place, that is Omuk’s place — nobody will have the ability to say these items. One other factor is which you can come to Gudaraghat by boat. However then you can’t go. The undertaking will create a brand new transport route within the area. You’ll be able to go by boat from Magbazar to Banani cemetery. If anybody thinks he can stroll, he can do it. ‘
Lengthy-term undertaking, why there isn’t any particular progress but – in response, he stated, ‘cash shouldn’t be allotted. And in Shahjadpur we’ve got made some roads. I’ve not been capable of pay for the land acquisition of many individuals there but. Former mayor Anisul Haque was very supportive. Due to that, the individuals there took up the case.
The risks of evicting 43 acres of slums
These 3,602 households shouldn’t be evicted with out everlasting housing, stated the final secretary of the Bangladesh Institute of Planners (BIP) planner. Adil Muhammad Khan.
Expressing concern, he stated, “It must be analyzed whether or not this eviction is important or not. If there’s a tendency to provide the plots to another person, it’ll convey one thing unhealthy. Massive space of 43 acres. We see numerous plans of various organizations together with RAJUK, T&T, ICT Ministry concerning Karail slum. The primary purpose is khas land. These and different organizations have grasp plans for this space. These grasp plans shouldn’t be applied. If another person’s grasp plan is applied, nevertheless it is not going to be justified.
‘How a lot land can they supply for low-income housing on this metropolis? The brand new metropolis in Purbachal has solely 2% land for low-income individuals. In accordance with our Dhaka inhabitants, about 10 p.c of the land must be earmarked for housing low-income individuals, ‘stated Adil Muhammad Khan. He added, ‘These are 3,602 households, the place will they take shelter? In the event that they go, they may go to a different slum. With this cash there isn’t any different manner however to go to a different slum. Are there sufficient slums like this? However these points are essential. On this case, can the work be completed with out eviction? ‘
“The way in which they dwell is inhumane,” he stated. For individuals who dwell illegally or with a small hire, land within the metropolis must be elevated. If land may be given to them by the federal government, the place they are going to be renting, if the federal government can hire the land by connecting the non-public sector to construct homes, then that dialogue additionally must be completed by RAJUK.
Adil Muhammad Khan stated there was no reply to the query of whether or not they would have the ability to stand up with the cash they’ve rented in Karail. The federal government wants such an initiative in order that they can also dwell in a regular home with this cash.
It’s also the duty of RAJUK to help in figuring out potential areas the place their various lodging could also be. Giving cash shouldn’t be the one duty. He thinks it’s the duty of RAJUK to indicate how that cooperation will work. In accordance with him, ‘Not solely these 3,602 households are unlawful, however in addition they pay hire. The entire problem also needs to be mentioned with those that are illegally incomes on this Karail slum. The federal government ought to give a hand right here.
‘There may be nothing within the nation.
Going to the Karail slum, one can see a number of homes being constructed on the lake with bamboo poles. The remainder of the homes have been crammed and made. There are paved roads in some locations to achieve these homes.
Foran Mia was sitting in entrance of a store in Lekpar speaking. He has been residing on this slum for 22 years. Requested by Jago Information, he stated, ‘We’re residents of N, voters of N. If Rohingyas can keep on this nation, what’s the purpose for our eviction? ‘
‘Since I’m not within the nation, I’m staying in NO. I dwell in a grimy place. We’ve nothing within the nation, we’re helpless, ”added Foran Mia.
Concerning the farewell of every household with compensation of Tk 48,000, the resident of Lekpar stated, ‘The place else will I keep in Dhaka? Would I’ve lived in a slum if it was like renting some place else? There is no such thing as a farewell within the slum. I haven’t got any hobbies, let my polapan be in a superb atmosphere, my dad and mom, I dwell in a superb atmosphere? ‘
Foran Mia thinks that 46 thousand rupees shouldn’t be sufficient. He stated, ‘I dwell in a slum with a hire of 2500 rupees. It prices three thousand rupees together with electrical energy and water. If you happen to transfer from right here, the home hire can be no less than 5 thousand rupees. Furthermore, the atmosphere that’s introduced, this atmosphere shouldn’t be in that place. I’ll come to dwell in a greater atmosphere. I’ll go in a superb atmosphere. By bringing it, I can eat fish for 20 rupees, there isn’t any such atmosphere in these locations. I’ll purchase no less than one and a half kg of fish and eat it, it’ll value 5-6 hundred rupees. With this cash that I can take my household with me, if I am going to the mahalla, I’ll come to vary this atmosphere. Such a Chahi Ainya Huya Thahi, Hento will come to purchase a mattress. Showcase, I’ll come to purchase TV. Which means the atmosphere of that place will proceed to adapt. The place can I get a lot cash? ‘
A number of slum dwellers gathered round whereas speaking to Foran Mia. When Foran Mia was talking, from silence, shaking his head, typically sounding like ‘H’, it was as in the event that they had been additionally expressing solidarity.
Jharna Rani lives in a home in Karail slum close to the lake. He has been residing on this slum for 12 years. He stated, ‘All in all, the hire is three thousand rupees. Two and a half thousand rupees hire. Lease for therefore little cash cannot be discovered anyplace else. The place is Chaila Yamu? I’ve to remain in Dhaka. If I’m in one other place, will I let this hire? I cannot. It’s going to take greater than that. I’ve not been capable of pay hire for a 12 months. By giving, not by giving. We, the poor, live on this slum, we’ve got many advantages. ‘
He’s additionally apprehensive about getting Rs 48,000 per household
Jharna Rani added, ‘We weren’t spoken to. Did not take the telephone quantity from me. I do not know. ‘
Nevertheless, undertaking director Aminur Rahman Sumon stated, “The military and native commissioners have been very supportive in making this checklist. Who lives within the homes, the title of the top of the household, his voter ID quantity, everlasting handle, cell quantity, start certificates of those that should not have voter ID – all these info we’ve got stored. We’ve made an in depth checklist. We’re speaking in regards to the one who can be shifted, he’ll get this cash. ‘
On this regard, BIP Normal Secretary Planner Adil Muhammad Khan stated, ‘The draw back is that giving Rs 48,000 to three,602 households is an enormous factor to make sure. In Bangladesh it’s simple to say that helpless households will get it, however it is going to be seen that those that accumulate hire illegally will say that they’ll pay me 20 p.c, pay 50 p.c or take the entire cash. In reality, getting the cash to the residents is an enormous problem.
