China has agreed to consider investing around Tk10,000 crore in a modern housing project for residents of Karail, Sattala and Bhasantek slums in the capital, State Minister for Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Mir Shahe Alam has said.
If the full investment cannot be made at once, China will consider financing the project in phases on a priority basis, he said.
Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen gave the assurance during a meeting with Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister Dr Abdul Moin Khan at the Secretariat on Thursday.
Speaking to reporters after the meeting, State Minister Mir Shahe Alam said a proposal had been submitted to the Local Government Division to develop modern housing for residents of the three slums in Gulshan and Dhaka-17 constituencies.
“We have submitted a proposal to develop housing for the three slums in the Gulshan area and Dhaka-17 constituency — Karail, Sattala and Bhasantek. There will be a modern housing system where they will be able to live free of rent,” he said.
The state minister said a proposal for the Tk10,000-crore housing project had been sent to China through the Economic Relations Division (ERD) and discussed with the Chinese ambassador.
“They have assured us that they will consider the proposal,” he said.
Mir Shahe Alam said the Chinese side had indicated that if the entire project could not be financed at once, investment could be made in phases based on priority.
According to the initial proposal, 20-storey buildings will be constructed with small residential units measuring around 600-650 square feet each.
Existing slum residents will be rehabilitated in phases and will not have to pay monthly rent. However, they will have to bear the costs of electricity, water and other utilities, the state minister said.
“We are already preparing a list of the people living there, and no one currently living in the slums will be deprived. Everyone will be included,” he said.
He added that the process of preparing a list of families currently living in the slums has already begun and they will be brought under the housing project in phases.
