A government-built Ashrayan housing project in Rajarhat of Kurigram, developed for the homeless and low-income people at a cost of several crore taka, now lies largely abandoned, with many units being used as cattle sheds and storage spaces.
The situation was observed in Joykumar village under Chinai Union, where most of the houses remain locked or deserted, while some have been occupied informally and repurposed, according to local sources and a visit to the site.
Officials handed over keys, allotment deeds, mutation records, and other documents to beneficiaries around four years ago, but many families left the project shortly after moving in, leaving the houses unattended and gradually deteriorating.
A recent visit found several houses empty, with neighbouring residents tying cattle in the premises and storing hay inside rooms meant for human habitation.
Locals said the structures have deteriorated quickly due to the use of substandard construction materials, with doors and windows removed and visible cracks appearing on walls.
They also said the houses were built on low-lying land, causing waterlogging even after light rainfall, making living conditions difficult for residents.
Ashrayan residents Kalam and Badsha said they initially found shelter there, but living conditions have worsened significantly as the area becomes muddy and waterlogged during rain, making movement difficult.
Landless residents Zainal Abedin and Hazrat Ali said they lost their homes to river erosion and are now living in others’ houses, even though many units in the project remain vacant and are not being reallocated.
Poor drainage has further worsened conditions, with overflowing tanks creating foul smells and raising the risk of waterborne diseases, while a lack of supervision has led to theft of doors and windows.
Local resident Irshad said the houses have remained abandoned for a long time, and some residents, including him, use them to tie cattle due to the lack of oversight.
Chinai Union acting chairman Md Lutfor Rahman said many beneficiaries moved to Dhaka in search of livelihoods, and prolonged vacancy has led to the deterioration of the structures.
“If the government takes quick renovation measures, people will be able to live here comfortably again,” he said.
Residents demanded that vacant houses be urgently reallocated to new beneficiaries and immediate repair work be initiated to prevent the complete collapse of the project.
Upazila Nirbahi Officer Md Al Imran said the government implemented the Ashrayan project to ensure housing for the homeless and low-income groups, but the current abandoned condition has come to the administration’s notice.
“We have already conducted a field visit, and the infrastructural problems, maintenance gaps, and reasons for uninhabitability are being assessed,” he said.
“Necessary renovation and rehabilitation measures will be taken soon so that the rightful beneficiaries can live here again,” he added.
