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 Apr 25, 2000. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina laid the foundation stone of the project on Apr 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.
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, the does 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 flat 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.
