A. S. M. Raihanul Ferdous
Chief Engineer and Project Director
Uttara Apartment Project, RAJUK
Dhaka Metropolitan city, the capital city of Bangladesh is the busiest and densely populated city. There is shortage of dwelling places for mass people, due to abnormal high cost of land in the city area, which is in fact, beyond the reach of the low and middle income groups. Considering the facts, the Government of Bangladesh had decided to construct residential flats for the low and middle income groups within their affordability. According to that Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (RAJUK) under the Ministry of Housing and Public Works took up a project titled ‘Uttara Apartment Project’ at sector 18, Uttara, Dhaka divided in three blocks namely A, B & C having land area of 83.68, 71.80 and 60.38 acres respectively. The project was then approved in the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) on November/2011 for implementing the project in a period from November, 2011 to June, 2016 at a total investment of Tk. 903071.87 Lac under the method of procurement, such as, OTM (National/ International) /Turnkey/ Two Stage/ Single Stage Two Envelop/ G2G/ LTM).
Location of the Project
‘Uttara Apartment Project’ is situated at sector 18 of Uttara (3rd Phrase) Project covering Block ‘A’, ‘B’ & ‘C’. The main approach will be from Ashulia Flood protection Embankment Road and Sonagaon Jonopath of Uttara Model Town. Proposed MRT run through the Project area.
Objective of the Project
The main Objectives of the Project are:
(a) to provide residential flats to the low and middle income group of people at an affordable price;
(b) to reduce the Pressure of population in Dhaka city by creating opportunity of residence for the city dwellers in the close by extended area;
(c) to maintain the balance of environment by proper Urbanization;
(d) to reduce the existing acute problem of Housing;
(e) to expand civic facilities by urbanization of the area between Mirpur & Tongi gradually;
(f) development of new township and to expansion of economic facilities;
(g) to solve future housing demand.
Master plan
Initially, 79 nos 16-storied buildings (with one basement) had been tendered for and engaged local and overseas companies. At the same time, specially, for Block-B & C a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed on the 18th October, 2011 between the Government of Bangladesh and the Government of Malaysia for the purpose of implementation of Uttara Apartment Project at Sector-18 of Uttara. But it could not been materialized due to some financial un-clarity.
Now, as per decision of the Ministry of Housing and Public Works, to implement this project, RAJUK as well as Government has decided to construct 179 multistoried 16 storied building including one basement floor. Proposed lay-out plan consists of 2 (two) types of flats. (1) Block-A: Type ‘A’ Flats with gross Area of each flat of is around 1654 sq.ft/ Net Area = 1276 Sft (2) Block-B: Type ‘A’ Flats with gross Area of each flat of is around 1620 sq.ft/ Net Area = 1250 Sft (3) Block-C: Type ‘B’ Flats with gross Area of each flat of is around 1395 sq.ft/ Net Area = 1050 Sft. However depending upon the final architectural details gross area may vary marginally. To implement the project 214.44 acre land has been earmarked at Sector no.18 of Uttara Residential Model Town (3rd Phase), Uttara, Dhaka.
There is risk of earth-quake. The high rise building will be subject to earthquake. Such risk has been taken care of by incorporating appropriate earthquake design factor as per the present BNBC Code. Further it may be crossed checked by other reputed Consultant in case of any need to make it 100% safe from earthquake.
Development of the Project
There are plans to build 15,036 nos flat in 179 nos 16-storied building of different sizes. Construction work of 1275 sqft net area flats is ongoing in ‘A’ Block of this Project. Among of 79 nos building 57 nos building construction work is going on full swing in the field level. In the meantime R.C.C framework of 10 nos 16-storied building (including one basement) has been finished and brick-wall, plaster work, grill and door frames fittings including finishing items work is going.
More 4,500 nos flats of 1275 sqft net area in ‘A’ Block have already been given allotment to different categories of people. Very soon application will be asking for allotment of more over 2,000 nos flats. Honorable Minister, Ministry of Housing and Public Works Engineer Mosharrof Hossain has declared that flats will be started handed over among the allotees by next December/ 2016. Necessary steps are being taken to comply with this commitment. On the other hand, construction work of 8,400 nos flat in 100 nos 16-storied building in Block-B and Block-C of this project is almost in final stage on G to G basis with Government of Malaysia through Commercial and Technical management.
Benefit of the Project
According to vision 2021 and MDG Bangladesh Government finalize perspective plan 2010. In this documents Government of Bangladesh want to ensure every person will have a living space its own within 2010. To solve the housing problem for low & middle income group of people of Bangladesh. This project will Increase the living standard of the people of Dhaka city and surrounding areas adjacent to the project. It will help new employment as well as reduce the poverty of Bangladesh. After completion of this project it will add value to the national GDP. Construction industry as well as the building material industry will be helpful for this project. The overall chain regarding construction industry will rise and cost of production will be decreased. General people specially low and middle income group of people will get a living space within their ability and affordability. It will ensure a sustainable environment and emission free Dhaka city. Renewable energy will be produced which will reduce and emission from coal or petroleum energy therefore limited use of resources.
