The plot owners and residents of Madhumati Model Town in Savar organized a human chain and protest rally on Saturday, opposing RAJUK's decision to disconnect utilities and infrastructure as part of efforts to shut down the housing project.
The protest took place at 11 AM in front of Madhumati Model Town in Baliarpur area. Earlier, participants also blocked the Dhaka-Aricha highway, drawing over a thousand people, including plot owners and residents.
Speakers at the event expressed their concerns over RAJUK's recent announcement to evict the town within two weeks following a High Court verdict declaring the project illegal. This decision has left thousands of plot owners and residents, who have been living there for 15-20 years, in distress.
According to multiple plot owners, the project began in 1990s when Metro Makers acquired 1,500 acres of private land in Baliarpur and Bilamalia mouzas. Over 3,500 plots were sold and the town now houses approximately 30,000 people.
In 2004, an environmental group filed a legal petition against the project, leading to a 2005 High Court ruling declaring it illegal while ensuring the protection of buyers' interests. A subsequent appellate decision in 2012 ordered the restoration of wetlands and compensation to plot owners.
Protesters claim that RAJUK has now planned to sever electricity, water and road access without offering any compensation. They emphasized that they have paid taxes and maintained legal ownership of the plots for years. The residents called for the withdrawal of RAJUK's decision and urged the government to intervene.
The protestors highlighted that Madhumati Model Town has established infrastructure, including electricity and water supply, residential buildings, poultry and dairy farms, industrial facilities, training centers, mosques, and resorts. They argued that the area has developed into a self-sustained community with a scenic environment and should not be disrupted without proper compensation and investigation.
They demanded that RAJUK reconsider its actions and ensure fair treatment for the residents, including a comprehensive compensation plan, before taking further steps.
