HAVING a home is the basic right of all citizens of a sovereign country. Sadly, it is a dream in Bangladesh, not a reality. Possessing a piece of land or an apartment in the capital city is almost impossible for the majority of city dwellers. The cost of such land or flat is so high that one can hardly afford. The present democratic government should take up a pragmatic plan to help materialise this dream for the citizens. Bangladesh is an overpopulated country. Limitation of agricultural land is one of the problems confronting the country. Agricultural land is essential to meet the demand for food for the people. Keeping these factors in mind, both sides of Dhaka-Saver road under Savar upazila in Dhaka District can be developed as townships adjacent to the capital.Â
The lands on both sides of the road in general, are mostly low-lying and remains submerged for about half of the year. The people can grow only one crop on the land annually. The height of the land could be increased up to the Dhaka-Manikganj Highway level by filling with the silt of the nearby rives. The low-valued land - from an agricultural point of view - can be converted to habitation for millions of people and this can reduce the ever-increasing population pressure on the city. The riverside land may be developed as industrial town and the opposite side of the highway may be developed as residential town. Production of crop would be less affected, as currently the lowlands are single cropped. It would facilitate easy road communication form Dhaka to the proposed townships. Â
Housing and Settlement Directorate may be assigned to implement the residential area and Bangladesh Small and Cottage Industrial Corporation may be assigned to implement the industrial township. Plots in residential town may be leased out to three categories of people:
1) Affected landowners for the town area,
2) Evicted landowners in Dhaka city and
3) General public.
No provision for quota like, judges, freedom fighters MPs, government officials, autonomous body officials, non-resident Bangladeshis', artists, journalists, lawyers; professionals or whatsoever should be there. Provision of Bangladesh constitution should be honoured so that all citizens get an equal opportunity. Provision 19(1) of Bangladesh Constitution says that the state shall endeavour to ensure equality of opportunity to all citizens. Allottees would be selected by lottery if applicants' number exceeds plot number. Some plots may be reserved for people in Dhaka city who would be affected owing to development work of government, Dhaka city Corporation etc. Similarly, plots in industrial town are to be leased out to industrial ventures for five years temporarily. When an industrial lessee will construct an industrial unit on the land concerned the lease period will be extended for further 45 years. If any lessee fails to set up an industrial unit within that stipulated five years, the land will be leased out to another potential industrial venture. The inistry concerned would not participate in allocation nor interfere in the allocation process of plots. Only in case of complaint, the ministry would investigate and advise for disciplinary action if allegation appears true.Â
Md. Ashraf Hossain Â
House-4, Road-6, Sector-28, Bank Town, Savar Municipality, Dhaka.
mah120cb@yahoo.com
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Townships on both sides of Gabtoli-Savar road
FE Team | Published: February 03, 2017 20:37:55 | Updated: October 21, 2017 07:48:05
Townships on both sides of Gabtoli-Savar road
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