‘Govt plans alternative housing for hill people’

BANDARBAN, July 17: State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Anindya Islam Amit on Wednesday said the government plans to provide alternative housing for people living at the foothills in landslide-prone areas, as part of its post-flood rehabilitation efforts.

Speaking to residents after visiting flood-hit areas in Balaghata of Bandarban Sadar Upazila, the minister said the government was working to ensure relief, rehabilitation and compensation for those affected by the recent floods.

"We have tried to deliver food to every flood-affected person. Cooked meals were provided to people staying at shelters, while relief reached those stranded in their homes," he said.

The minister said the district and upazila administrations, along with other government agencies, had been working in coordination since the disaster struck.

"Although floodwaters have receded, many homes remain covered in mud. We are now working to clean them and make them habitable again," he said.
He said the government would provide construction materials to families whose homes had become uninhabitable or were severely damaged by the floods.

Referring to residents living at the base of hills, who face recurring risks of landslides during the monsoon, the minister said the government intended to arrange alternative housing for all those living in vulnerable locations.

Among those present during the visit were MP Saching Prue Jerry, reserved-seat MP Advocate Madhabi Marma, Chattogram Divisional Commissioner Dr Md Ziauddin, Bandarban Deputy Commissioner Md Saniul Ferdous, Superintendent of Police Md Wahabul Islam Khandaker, Bandarban Sadar Upazila Nirbahi Officer Marufa Sultana Khan Hiramoni, senior officials from various government departments, local public representatives and residents.