Tk 10 million union parishad building abandoned in Raipura

The doors and windows are broken and deteriorating. Dense bushes and weeds have grown all around the building. The administrative building of Chanpur Union Parishad in the remote char area of Raipura upazila in Narsingdi has remained abandoned for a long time due to a lack of use. Local residents have expressed frustration that the building, constructed at a cost of Tk 10 million, is not being used. Meanwhile, citing security risks, the union parishad chairman is conducting official activities from a digital center instead of the main building.

According to local sources, the Chanpur Union Parishad building was constructed in 2006. Regular administrative activities continued there from after the 2011 election until 2016. Normal operations at the building came to a halt after that. Local residents allege that the suspension of activities at the parishad building for a long time has caused difficulties for citizens seeking services.

Abdullah Al Mamun, a member of Ward No. 3 of Chanpur Union Parishad, said regular activities at the parishad building had not resumed since 2016. Although the chairman had repeatedly been urged to work from the building, no effective steps had been taken. As a result, residents of the union were being deprived of civic services.

Chairman Md. Abdul Momen Sarker said security risks in the isolated and remote char area prevented him from working at the main parishad building. As an alternative, he has been conducting official activities from a government approved digital center. However, he said steps would be taken to renovate the parishad building and create a suitable working environment there.

Raipura Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Md. Masud Rana said Chanpur’s location in a remote char area presented various challenges, including group conflicts. However, he said the chairman had been given clear instructions to renovate the building promptly, create a suitable working environment and conduct official activities at the main parishad building.

Around 30,000 people from 11 villages in Chanpur Union are demanding that the building be renovated promptly and full administrative operations be resumed there.