The chairman of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), Tarique Rahman, has pledged to construct permanent apartment buildings for residents living in makeshift homes in Dhaka’s Kalyail slum if his party comes to power. The announcement was made during a special prayer gathering held in the T&T Ground, Mohakhali, on Tuesday afternoon, organised by Kalyail residents to pray for the late former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia’s soul.
Addressing the slum dwellers, Tarique Rahman said, “We recognise the hardships you endure living in these conditions. Gradually, we intend to resolve these issues. With Allah’s grace, we plan to construct high-rise buildings here and register every small apartment in the names of the current residents, ensuring they have secure, permanent homes.”
Kalyail slum, established in the 1990s on 93 acres of land occupied from three government agencies, is Dhaka’s largest slum, housing roughly 40,000 low-income families. Alongside housing improvements, Tarique Rahman promised initiatives to enhance education and healthcare for residents.
“We are aware that many children here face difficulties accessing quality education,” he said. “With Allah’s blessings, we hope to build well-equipped schools and create spaces for sports and recreation so that children have opportunities to study and play in a safe environment.”
He also outlined plans for local healthcare services, stating, “We aim to bring medical facilities closer to your homes. Clinics and hospitals will be established within the community to ensure residents do not have to travel far for healthcare. Our goal is to develop and modernise this area comprehensively.”
Kalyail Slum at a Glance
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Total area | 93 acres |
| Year of establishment | 1990s |
| Number of residents | Approximately 40,000 |
| Housing | Makeshift homes (to be replaced with permanent flats) |
| Planned facilities | Apartments, schools, sports fields, clinics, hospitals |
Tarique Rahman is contesting the upcoming parliamentary election in Dhaka-17, which includes the Kalyail slum. The official campaign will begin on 22 January following the allocation of election symbols. Commenting on the electoral context, he stated, “I am unsure whether this will fall under electoral conduct regulations or if there will be any conspiracies. Nevertheless, I intend to act with Allah’s guidance in fulfilling these plans.”
Residents of Kalyail have expressed hope that the promised developments will not only solve housing challenges but also improve education, healthcare, and the overall quality of life, bringing long-awaited transformation to one of Dhaka’s largest urban settlements.