The interim government has finalised two projects to construct a total of 2,364 modern flats for the rehabilitation of families of those killed and those who lost their ability to work during the student-led July uprising.
The two projects, with a combined cost of around Tk2,100 crore, are expected to be approved at today’s Ecnec meeting. Once approved, the National Housing Authority will begin construction immediately. The entire project will be funded from the government’s budget.
The flats will be built on government land in Mirpur in the capital.
For the families of those killed in the movement, 804 residential flats–each measuring 1,355 square feet–will be built on National Housing Authority-owned land in Section 14 of the Mirpur Housing Estate, adjacent to Mirpur Police Lines.
Of these buildings, six will have 14-storey and 12 will have 10-storey. The buildings will include basements, parking facilities, lifts, substations, generators, fire hydrants, solar systems, CCTV, and all other standard modern amenities.
The total cost of this project will be Tk761 crore. Construction work is expected to begin in January next year and be completed by December 2029.
Meanwhile, 1,560 residential flats will be constructed for the families of July movement fighters who lost their ability to work. A total of 15 buildings will be constructed on government land near Mirpur DOHS. The 14-storey buildings will have all modern facilities.
Each flat will measure 1,250 square feet. The government has allocated Tk1,344 crore for this project.
Construction of this project–intended for the injured–was initially scheduled to begin in July this year. However, work will now begin after approval today and is expected to be completed by June 2029.
Earlier, when the two projects were presented at an Ecnec meeting on 27 July this year, questions were raised regarding the justification for the allocated funds. As a result, the authorities were instructed to revise the proposals and resubmit them.
According to a gazette published by the Ministry of Liberation War Affairs, 836 people were killed in the July–August 2024 uprising, while 13,800 were injured. However, according to the UN, the number of deaths is 1,400 and injuries exceed 20,000.
The uprising toppled the Sheikh Hasina government. She fled to India and is now living in exile.
