1800 flats and 64 dormitories are being constructed to convert abandoned government buildings into habitable structures. This will reduce the housing crisis of government officials and employees. The PWD Maintenance division has already started the work of making various abandoned houses of Chattogram habitable for the government officials and employees. Besides, this department is making the abandoned houses useful for government purposes across the country.
Ensuring the quality of multi-storied building construction in Chattogram. The long process from project formulation to its implementation has come to an end. Monitoring arrangements have been made to speed up the work of the project. The work is being implemented quickly. However, there are some fundamental differences between developers and public works in building construction. As a development subsidiary of the government, the building is being constructed for the people's housing crisis while maintaining the quality of public works. Developer companies are constructing buildings there.
The Public Works Department is making proper use of land in constructing multi-storied buildings. According to the government's Allocation of Rules of Business, the scope of work of the Ministry of Public Works includes the construction, maintenance and repair of almost all the ministries' official and residential infrastructures.
Accommodation is being arranged in a total of 51 houses including 15 in the abandoned places of Chattogram city. Work on 9 houses has already started in the project. Remaining 6 house works could not be started due to various complications. These houses will be built in Panchlaish, Nasirabad and Khulshi areas of Chittagong metropolis. 414 flats of 1500 square feet, 162 flats of 1250 square feet and 64 dormitories will be constructed in these houses of Public Works Department. The Ministry of Housing and Public Works approved this project on April 25, 2017. The duration of the project has been extended till June 2023 in the 1st phase and 30 June 2025 in the 2nd phase. The cost of the project is 476 crore 60 lakh 15 thousand taka.
Md. Moinul Islam, Executive Engineer of Public Works Maintenance Department, said that 65 percent progress has been made in this project. These buildings have underground reservoir water supply, sewage system, car parking system, sewage treatment plant, lift substation and generators.
According to PWD engineers, the Public Works Department takes special care around the building in the construction of multi-storied buildings. The building provides space for residents to enjoy recreation, sports or exercise. The Public Works Department is constructing buildings by ensuring various services including planting trees, garbage disposal stations and work ways. Engineering is implementing all kinds of facilities in building construction.
“The Public Works Department is playing a leading role in the construction of multi-storied buildings to accommodate government employees. The engineers who come to the department are talented and experienced. They are working in the light of keeping the tradition of the organization. Department of Architecture is also working,” he said.
“No other organization has such an opportunity. Private building owners often do not want soil testing, which increases the risk after construction. Before constructing the Public Works Department building there, the soil is tested by an experienced engineer. State-of-the-art equipment is used in soil testing. So the Public Works Department is not only building concrete walls, but also implementing the development plans of the government,” he added.