Md. Mijanur Rahman Akanda, Phulpur: Residents of the Ashrayan housing projects built for landless poor people in Phulpur, Mymensingh, are living amid numerous problems. Beneficiaries have complained of severe hardship due to waterlogging during monsoon because of low-lying land, scarcity of safe drinking water, unplanned sewage systems, lack of access roads, and rainwater leaking inside houses.
Several families who were allotted houses under the projects do not live in the Ashrayan centers. In one Ashrayan center with 8 houses for 8 families, 7 families were found absent. All the constructed houses across the projects are very poor quality. Due to the use of substandard materials, the roofs of most houses are being damaged.
During an on-site visit, it was found that out of 8 houses built for 8 families at the Ashrayan project in Hatpagla village of Chondhara Union, 7 remain vacant. Only one family was found living in one house. Locals alleged that outsiders occasionally use the empty houses for antisocial activities like gambling. Although people initially lived in all 8 houses, 7 families left after the fall of the Awami League government.
At the Ashrayan center in Mokamia village of Singheswar Union, only 8 out of 10 allotted families reside there. The land level of this project is almost the same as the adjacent cropland, and the house plinths are also quite low. As a result, the courtyard and verandas get submerged during the rainy season. Residents also said that a single tubewell is not enough for all families. Resident Josna Begum said rainwater leaks into their house even with light rain. With no exit road from this Ashrayan project, residents have to take long detours along field boundaries.
A visit to the Nagua Ashrayan project in Phulpur Sadar Union revealed that out of 36 houses built for 36 families, 5 are unoccupied. There is no drainage system in this project, causing water to accumulate in bathrooms and toilets. Residents complained of extreme suffering due to this. Moreover, as the surrounding cropland and the project courtyard are at almost the same level, the courtyard remains knee-deep in water throughout the rainy season. Residents expressed anger over the severe hardship.
Project resident Jasmine said, “Because water accumulates, the bathroom and toilet cannot be used at all.”
Although there is one tubewell for 5 families living in the Ashrayan project in Rupshi village of Rupshi Union, it remains out of order. As a result, residents complained they have to collect water from far away.
In the Ashrayan project in Salanga village of Balia Union, no residents were found in 5 out of 15 houses. Other residents said some of them visit occasionally. The main ground level of this project is the same as the adjacent farmland, so the courtyard remains under nearly knee-deep water during the monsoon. Besides, although the project is about 200 yards from the nearest road, there is virtually no access path. All residents expressed frustration, saying they are forced to pass through other people’s homesteads and face harassment.
Visits to 5 Ashrayan projects in the upazila showed that out of 74 houses allotted to 74 families, 19 remain unoccupied. Some residents stay away for livelihood reasons, while others have their own houses. As the land of almost all Ashrayan centers is low-lying, residents suffer from waterlogging during the monsoon.
Regarding the issue, Upazila Nirbahi Officer Sadia Islam Sima said, The matter of 7 houses remaining vacant at the Chondhara Union Ashrayan project has come to our attention. We will look into it promptly and take necessary measures. The mismanagement in other Ashrayan centers will also be investigated.
