Rajshahi, Dec 18 (V7N) — Most houses under the Ashrayan shelter project in Charghat upazila of Rajshahi have become uninhabitable due to long-term neglect and lack of renovation, leaving poor and landless residents in severe hardship.

Residents allege that no repair work has been carried out since the houses were constructed. As a result, the tin-shed structures have deteriorated badly, with damaged walls, rusted and broken roofing sheets, and shattered doors and windows. Even light rainfall causes water to leak through the roofs, creating serious suffering for nearly 150 landless families. Several abandoned and collapsed houses have reportedly become gathering places for drug users.

Charghat Upazila Project Implementation Officer Farhad Latif said the upazila has around 850 Ashrayan houses, both semi-permanent and permanent, across one municipality and six unions. Many of these houses are 25 to 30 years old. He noted that the older tin-shed houses were built with fencing and tin roofing, and some damage to the materials is natural over time, adding that residents are expected to carry out minor repairs on their own.

A field visit to the Ashrayan projects in Sholua Union, including Abashan-1, Abashan-2, and the Halidagachhi project, found a total of about 504 houses. Among them, nearly 140 houses in Abashan-1 and Abashan-2 are no longer suitable for living. About 45 houses were completely destroyed in fires at different times and now remain abandoned, many of which have reportedly turned into drug users’ hideouts.

Most residents said their household belongings get soaked during rainfall. Some attempt to block leaking water with bricks and paper, while others are forced to take shelter in neighbors’ homes during the monsoon.

Marzina, a resident of Abashan-1, said that although they received houses under the project, living there has become impossible due to the lack of repairs. She said rainwater pours through damaged roofs, soaking clothes and essential items, forcing families to endure extreme hardship. She added that timely renovation by the authorities could bring some relief.

Sapan, general secretary of Abashan-2, said burned houses have been inspected several times by upazila officials, but no repair work has been done so far. He added that the issue of dilapidated houses was also reported to the Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO), but no action has followed. Residents, he said, continue to approach authorities without any solution.

Ashrayan project president Joli Begum said around 50 houses were destroyed by fire and about 110 others are unfit for use. Due to the absence of government allocations, beneficiaries are deprived of basic facilities. She claimed that nearly 100 families have left the area after falling into debt because of a lack of employment opportunities.

She also pointed to shortages of safe drinking water, proper drainage, education facilities for children, and doctors at the community clinic, saying that resolving these issues would allow beneficiaries to live with dignity.

Several residents, speaking on condition of anonymity, said houses deemed uninhabitable have become drug dens, creating fear in the community. Despite being aware of the situation, they said they are too afraid to protest.

Upazila Nirbahi Officer Jannatul Ferdous said the administration is aware of the condition of the houses and has informed higher authorities. She added that renovation work would begin as soon as funds are allocated.

END/MRA/SMA/