The government is moving forward with measures to support and rehabilitate the families of those killed in the July incidents

The government has advanced two major housing initiatives aimed at rehabilitating families affected by the 2024 Anti-Discriminatory Student Movement.

Both proposals were endorsed by the Planning Commission, which recommended their approval by the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC). The ECNEC subsequently approved both projects at its meeting today.

Under the first scheme, the Ministry of Housing and Public Works proposed constructing 1,560 residential flats for July movement participants who were permanently disabled during the 2024 protests. The National Housing Authority (NHA) will implement the project on its own land near Mirpur DOHS at an estimated cost of Tk 1,344.4142 crore, fully financed by the government.

Scheduled to run from July 2025 to June 2029, the project includes 15 residential buildings—each 14 storeys with a basement—containing eight 1,250 sq ft flats per floor. Parking will be provided in the basements and ground floors. Key components include land development, boundary walls, building construction, lift installation, substations, generators, water pump systems, solar energy features, fire safety systems, intercoms, CCTV, and electrical connections, with electricity costs covered until handover.

The PEC meeting on July 7, 2025 assessed the proposal and advised ECNEC approval, noting that the project would honour the sacrifices of those left disabled by providing modern, secure, and free housing.

The second scheme, also proposed by the Housing Ministry through the NHA, involves developing the “36 July” residential complex on 5.08 acres of NHA land in Mirpur Section-14 under Dhaka North City Corporation. This project aims to provide permanent housing for families of students killed during the movement. The estimated cost is Tk 761.1607 crore, entirely government-funded.

Planned for January 2026 to December 2029, the project features six 14-storey buildings with shared basements and twelve 10-storey buildings, totalling 804 flats of 1,355 sq ft each. The buildings will include basement and ground-floor parking and be constructed with earthquake-resistant designs approved by the Public Works Department. Infrastructure will include RCC boundary walls, internal roads and drains, lifts, substations, generators, solar systems, fire hydrant systems, and CCTV.

The proposal was reviewed by ECNEC on July 27, 2025, which called for further scrutiny and coordination with the Ministry of Liberation War Affairs. After revising the DPP and adjusting cost components, a second PEC meeting was held on October 19, 2025.

Once completed, the project is expected to help bereaved families regain stability and live with dignity through safe and modern housing.

Discussing both initiatives, Planning Adviser Dr Wahiduddin Mahmud said the two projects were scheduled separately to reflect the differing needs of affected families. Construction of the 1,560 flats in Mirpur Section-9 for those permanently disabled will begin in July 2025 and continue until June 2029. The “36 July” complex for families of the martyred students will run from January 2026 to December 2029.

Dr Mahmud explained that providing housing for those disabled is comparatively simpler due to easily verifiable eligibility, while allocating flats to families of those killed requires more sensitive legal considerations, especially around inheritance. He stressed that the government would follow established policies to ensure fairness and legal clarity.

The Planning Commission highlighted that both projects will significantly support the rehabilitation of families affected by the 2024 movement. It added that ensuring dignified housing not only expresses national gratitude for their sacrifices but also helps families rebuild their lives with security and stability.