Shanti Nibas remains locked three years after construction
Graphics: Agamir Somoy
The building was supposed to serve as a safe shelter for helpless elderly women. It had separate facilities for accommodation, medical care, physical exercise, prayer and reading. However, even three years after construction was completed, not a single woman has found shelter there.
Instead, the electricity connection has been disconnected due to unpaid bills and the elevator remains out of service. Dust has accumulated in the locked rooms. Furniture and medical equipment are at risk of deteriorating after remaining unused for years.
Built at a cost of more than Tk 80 million in Lalmonirhat, Shanti Nibas has now become a symbol of neglect rather than a shelter for elderly women.
The three-story building stands on approximately 30 decimals of land within the Government Children’s Family (Girls) campus in Balatari, along DC Road in Lalmonirhat town.
From the outside, it appears to be an attractive structure featuring modern architecture. Inside, it has an elevator, bedrooms, a prayer room, a reading room, exercise equipment and healthcare facilities.
The facility was intended to accommodate 25 helpless elderly women aged 60 and above. However, the institution has yet to become operational even three years after construction was completed.
Locals said all the rooms in the building remain locked. Furniture lies unused in the large dining room on the ground floor. Exercise equipment and medical supplies in the healthcare corner remain untouched.
The entire building is shrouded in darkness due to the lack of electricity. Dust has accumulated in various rooms due to the absence of regular maintenance. Spiders and insects have also made their homes there.
The building is not only lying unused but is also facing maintenance challenges. Its electricity connection has been disconnected due to unpaid bills. The contract for operating the elevator has also expired.
The lack of necessary staff has prevented the establishment of regular maintenance and operational activities. As a result, both the government-funded infrastructure and the valuable equipment inside are at risk of deterioration.
According to the District Social Services Office, construction of Shanti Nibas began on August 16, 2022, to ensure safe shelter for helpless, abandoned and neglected elderly women.
Construction was completed in 2023 at a cost of Tk 80,141,329.
As part of a project under the Department of Social Services and the Ministry of Social Welfare, eight Shanti Nibas facilities were constructed inside government children’s homes across the country’s eight divisions.
The Shanti Nibas for Rangpur Division was built in Lalmonirhat.
The project’s objective was to provide accommodation and essential services for helpless and homeless elderly women. However, despite the completion of the infrastructure, the necessary staff have not been recruited to operate the institution. As a result, the project’s primary objective remains unfulfilled.
Mosammat Hawa Begum, deputy superintendent of the Lalmonirhat Government Children’s Family (Girls), is responsible for overseeing Shanti Nibas. She has to look after the building in addition to her regular duties.
According to Hawa Begum, the Shanti Nibas building was constructed on the campus of the Government Children’s Family. It has not been possible to launch the institution due to a shortage of necessary staff. Therefore, she is overseeing the building as an additional responsibility.
Fazlul Haque, deputy director of the District Social Services Office, said the process of creating posts for Shanti Nibas was nearing completion.
He expressed hope that the institution could be launched soon once the posts were created. However, he could not provide a specific timeline for staff recruitment or the commencement of accommodation and service facilities for elderly women.
Abu Hasnat Rana, vice-president of the Lalmonirhat district branch of Shushashoner Jonno Nagorik (SUJON) and an assistant professor, expressed concern over the institution remaining closed despite the completion of construction.
He said, “The institution could not be launched even three years after construction was completed.”
In his view, it is necessary to investigate why a building constructed with taxpayers’ money is not being used.
According to locals, uncertainty remains over when Shanti Nibas, built to ensure safe shelter for helpless elderly women, will become operational.
As long as the institution remains awaiting staff recruitment, the government-funded infrastructure and medical equipment will continue to lie unused.
However, Lalmonirhat Deputy Commissioner Rashedul Haque Pradhan has assured that Shanti Nibas will be launched.
He said he was aware of the matter and would contact the relevant ministry to request the necessary staff.
