Cracks appear in Satkhira Ashrayan project houses, yet to be handed over

Nearly a year after construction was completed, houses built under the government’s Ashrayan housing scheme at Ashashuni upazila of Satkhira district have not been handed over to beneficiaries, while parts of the surrounding land have already begun to collapse.

The houses were constructed at Mahishkura area of Sriula union to provide shelter for landless and homeless families. 

However, visits to the site revealed that the ground around several houses has eroded and large cracks have formed both in front of and behind the structures.

The project area is flanked by fish enclosures on both sides and sections of the protective palisading installed along the banks have tilted after nearby embankments began to collapse. 

Locals fear the ongoing erosion could eventually reach the houses if immediate action is not taken.

According to the office of upazila project implementation officer Md Amirul Islam, a total of 18 houses were built on 55 decimals of land under the Ashrayan Project. Each unit cost Tk 259,500, bringing the total project expenditure to around Tk 4.67 million. Despite the completion of construction nearly a year ago, the houses have yet to be allocated to beneficiaries.

Local social worker Sheikh Habibur Rahman said it was disappointing that embankments around a project costing nearly half a crore taka had started collapsing even before its inauguration. 

He added that the nature of the land and the impact of nearby fish farms should have been carefully assessed during project implementation.

When contacted, Md Amirul Islam said fish enclosures on both sides of the project had remained filled with water for a long time, which previously helped keep the palisading stable. 

However, after the enclosure owners recently drained the water, parts of the palisading began to tilt.

He said officials had already inspected the site and informed higher authorities. Necessary repairs will be carried out once water returns to the enclosures. 

He also noted that the responsibility for handing over the houses lies with the local land office.

Local residents warned that erosion could worsen during the monsoon season when water pressure increases. 

They urged the authorities to take immediate and sustainable measures to protect the Ashrayan project houses from further damage.

SH