Cracks develop in Dacope upazila staff quarters

KHULNA, Dec 08: The 37-year- old government residential buildings in Dacope upazila of Khulna have become risky for residents as cracks have developed in different places, including ceilings and beams of the structures.

There are six two- storied government staff quarters in the upazila.

Although there is a house for officers and employees, some of the officers are living in rented accommodation elsewhere. However, 12 families of employees are forced to live in the worn-out buildings risking their lives.

When it rains, water leaks through the roof. In the ground floor, there are large cracks in many places outside the buildings and inside walls. Doors and windows have been damaged.

In absence of renovation iron rods of ceilings have been exposed posing serious threat to the residents.

The dilapidated buildings are yet to be declared abandoned in accordance with the rules. However, in these worn out buildings, government employees are living risking their lives.

Some of the residents said whenever it rains, they cover up the bedding and clothing with polythene. If there is a storm, many take shelter outside in fear of building collapse.

Those who remain inside the rooms, they time pass in panic. The condition of the employee Dormitory Building is worst.

Upazila Parishad Vice Chairman Gourpado Bachar has been living in a dilapidated building with his family members for a long time.

He said during the monsoon season, plaster of the ceiling falls down creating panic among them.

 Sheikh Abdus Samad, the office assistant of the Upazila Secondary Education Department has rented a flat at Tk 2,500 in the neighbourhood. Security guard Ruhul Amin lives with his wife and two children at a school building.

Engineer Nanigopal Das, engineer of the Local Government Engineering Department (LGED), said the condition of the buildings in which government officials and employees are living is very bad. Major accident may occur at any time. He said there are five officer-staff residential buildings and one employee Dormitory building of the Upazila Parishad that were built in 1984. Lack of renovation has made the buildings vulnerable.

Dacope Upazila Nirbahi Officer(UNO), Abdul Wadud  said, "We have informed the senior authorities of the risk of dilapidated buildings. In February this year, we submitted a memorandum to the authorities concerned to take steps in this regard.

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