DOT Desk: The Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (Beza) is taking up two housing projects in Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Shilpa Nagar, which project officials believe will provide accommodation to four lakh workers of the industrial enclave, reports TBS.
The low-cost housing project will be built on 363.55 acres of land in Saherkhali Union and Domkhali area of Korerhat Union in Mirshrai upazila.
The two projects were finalised in the Mirsharai Upazila Development Plan (master plan), prepared by the Urban Planning Directorate of Ministry of Housing and Public Works, on 30 April.
According to the directorate, the two projects are very close to the industrial areas. From Domkhali, workers can reach their workplaces within 10-15 minutes, while it will take 25-30 minutes from Korerhat.
Ahsan Habib, project manager of Mirsharai Upazila Development Plan, said that all kinds of civic benefits have been ensured for the workers and their family members living in the project area. “Gas, electricity, water, health, educational institutions, community centres, playgrounds, markets, etc, have been brought into the construction plan,” he said.
He mentioned that the number of accommodations for workers will be finalised according to the structure of the housing project.
Several industry owners have said the housing projects will cut commute time for workers significantly. Otherwise, workers will have to travel 65km from Chattogram, which takes one and a half hours. M Mohiuddin Chowdhury, Director of BGMEA and Chief Executive Officer of Clifton Group, said that about 12 lakh workers will work in the industrial factories in BGMEA Garments Village, Bepza Economic Zone and other factories.

“We expect Beza to take a decision on the implementation of housing projects for workers as per plan soon,” he added.