The New Nation - Internet Edition

BSS, Chittagong

Officials of a private real estate company on Sunday said it was planning to build one million low-cost apartments across the country by 2025 for slum dwellers and less-income people.

They made the announcement at a seminar here saying such a huge number of residential apartments would be constructed in line with the concept of a pilot project being implemented in the capital city.

The officials said the pilot project jointly undertaken by the Ministry of Land and the company with approval of RAJUK and ECNEC would soon complete construction of 6,000 flats for low-income group and 10,000 flats for slum dwellers on an area of 150 acres at a cost of Taka 1,000 crore in Bhashantek area of Mirpur.

The company, North South Property Development Limited (NSPDL), organised the seminar at Chittagong Press Club auditorium with academics, trade body leaders and economists sharing their views on "Social responsibility in rehabilitation of slum-dwellers." NSPDL chairman M A Rahim presided over the function.

Vice-Chancellor of Chittagong University of Engineering and Technology Prof. Shyamal Khanti Biswas, Vice-Chancellor of Chittagong Veterinary and Animal Science University Prof. Dr. Nitish Chandra Debnath and Pro-VC of Southern University Prof. Dr. Mohammad Sharifuzzaman, among others, were present at the seminar.

The discussants urged the rich people to come forward with positive attitude for solving the growing accommodation problems of the insolvent and poor people in the country.

They said increasing housing problems of the less-income groups, particularly in urban areas, could not be solved if efforts in this regard are taken with commercial approach.

The participants in the seminar urged the government, financial institutions and the rich people to find a sustainable solution to such a problem not only for rehabilitating the poor people but also maintaining a constant social stability in the greater national interest.

M A Rahim sought sincere cooperation from both public and private sector organisations as well as individuals in the port city to launch another venture like the one in the capital city to solve the accommodation problems of insolvent and slum people here.