CDA fails to provide basic amenities in 3 decades

The Chattogram Development Authority (CDA) took up the Karnaphuli housing project in 1992, allotting 519 plots for prospective residents in 1994. But even after 30 years, the authorities could not ensure any civic amenities in the allotted plots. As a result, the residential project is lying abandoned.

Meanwhile, CDA is planning another housing project in the Bayazid area of the port city, even though the necessary facilities are still not ensured in the projects taken earlier. Many plots are still vacant in the previous housing projects due to the lack of amenities in the allotted plots, making the owners edgy.

After the allotment in 1994, the estimated cost of the project was some Tk 12.60 crore. However, almost 30 years after, no building has been constructed in the project area, let alone the inclusion of any civic amenities. Meanwhile, the respective owners, both living and descendants of those who died, are facing a crisis because the plots have not been disbursed yet.

Eng Subhash Barua, vice-president of the Forum for Planned Chittagong said, “CDA is taking up projects on a whim. As a result, they do not arrange sustainable amenities. No assessment has been made as to why the Karnaphuli housing project could not be implemented. On the contrary, the organisation has taken up new projects. It is just a waste of money.

“CDA does not have the capacity to evaluate projects worth crores of taka. It was not able to execute the master plan of 1995 and the organisation’s capacity should be increased before taking up a new project,” he added.

According to sources, CDA has allotted 6,660 plots in 12 residential projects in order to solve the housing problem of Chattogram. It was stated that all civic amenities would be provided in Karnaphuli, Kalpalok, Ananya (1 and 2) and Salimpur housing projects such as sewage, roads, playgrounds, graveyards, markets, security fences, electricity, gas and clean water from WASA.

Upon inquiring, the Chief Engineer of CDA, Kazi Hasan Bin Shams told The Business Post, “We are working on the projects. There is an unavailability of water in the Karnaphuli project area. Water was not found even after digging almost 700-800ft. As a result, it was left abandoned. Recently we have issued a letter to WASA. Their Vandaljuri water project is being developed on the south bank of the Karnaphuli River. This water line will pass through Karnaphuli housing providing WASA with about 500 customers. We hope that the water crisis will be solved then.”

Adv Zia Habib Ahsan, senior vice-president of CDA-Karnaphuli Plot Owners Association said, “Although the plots have been allotted, no civic facilities such as clean water have been ensured. CDA’s negligence is the result of this barrenness. Many have died without building anything. Despite this, it has taken up new projects and is not completing a single one. The Salimpur project is an example.”

“The CDA has recently issued a letter to WASA asking for water in the Karnaphuli project area. But no action has been taken yet,” he added.

The owners complained, “When plots were allotted in the Karnaphuli project, many sold their ancestral land and bought these at a higher price for a bright future. But that has become their downfall because the plots are not sellable anymore. We are suffering immensely.”