Security and Sanitation Neglect Plague Our Government Quarters

Government housing quarters for officials and employees-both in the capital and across the country-are facing a dire situation. Beyond the existing lack of basic amenities, these areas are now plagued by a complete breakdown in security and sanitation. Although government regulations mandate the provision of boundary walls, round-the-clock security guards, gardeners, and cleaning staff (sweepers) for these quarters, these requirements remain unfulfilled in reality. Most of these residential colonies have become unsecured and have turned into dumping grounds for trash. Consequently, thousands of government employees and their families live in constant fear of theft and muggings, while also facing serious health risks from diseases like dengue and chikungunya.

Security Has Collapsed: A Haven for Outsiders and Drug Users
On-site inspections of several government housing quarters in the capital-specifically in Motijheel, Azimpur, and Sher-e-Bangla Nagar-reveal that many boundary walls have remained broken for years. Main entrances often lack gates, and where gates do exist, there are no security guards in sight. Taking advantage of this, these quarters have become a free-roaming ground for outsiders, scavengers, and local troublemakers.

As evening falls, dark corners, abandoned buildings, and playgrounds within the quarters become hubs for drug users. Residents report frequent incidents of theft, mugging, and the stripping of parts from cars and motorcycles. Furthermore, with the streetlights inside the quarters out of order, it has become extremely dangerous for women to move about alone after dark. A resident of the Azimpur government quarters, expressing frustration, stated, "We live in these government quarters hoping for a safe environment for our families. However, the situation has deteriorated to the point where it is no longer safe to walk alone within the colony after 8:00 PM. The influx of outsiders has become so significant that it is impossible to distinguish between residents and strangers. Despite repeated appeals to the Public Works Department (PWD) or the Directorate of Housing, no security guards have been provided."

Piles of Garbage and Drainage Issues: A Breeding Ground for Dengue
Beyond security concerns, the state of cleanliness in the quarters is even more dire. Although there is a provision for regular cleaning staff to maintain the colony, they are often nowhere to be seen for months on end. Large mounds of household waste have accumulated in the alleys in front of and behind every building. As the dustbins are never cleared, the air remains perpetually foul-smelling.


Encroached Playgrounds and Derelict Community Centres
Essential communal amenities for the residents-such as playgrounds for their children and community centres for social gatherings-have fallen into disrepair. Due to a complete lack of maintenance and oversight, the playgrounds have become overgrown with thickets, while local influential figures and outsiders have illegally seized these spaces, using them as parking areas for trucks and rickshaws. Meanwhile, the community centres have fallen into such a filthy and dilapidated state that they have become completely unusable.

Apathy of Authorities and Resentment among Residents
Although housing and maintenance fees are deducted monthly from employees' salaries-in accordance with the Bangladesh Allocation Rules, 1982-there is deep-seated discontent among the staff due to the lack of even the most basic amenities. The condition of the housing units allocated to lower- and middle-grade employees is particularly dire. One employee, who wished to remain anonymous, stated, "Money is regularly deducted from our salaries, yet we are forced to live in hellish conditions. There is no security, and filth is everywhere. If we dare to protest, we are threatened with the cancellation of our housing allotment."

When questioned about this extreme mismanagement, officials from the local engineering and investigation office of the Public Works Department (PWD) cited the usual reasons: a lack of allocated funds and a shortage of cleaning staff. However, the affected residents argue that the issue is not a lack of manpower or budget, but rather a complete absence of proper oversight and genuine intent, which has rendered these government housing units unfit for habitation. The residents are now calling for immediate intervention from higher authorities to address these severe security and health risks.