Taijul Islam shifted his residence from Mirpur area to another area to avoid suffering during the construction work of Metrorail. Recently, this official of a private organization was seen again looking for a house in West Kazipara area. At Prothom Alo, he said, I left the Kazipara area without seeing a way out. Now that the metrorail has started, the road has also been fixed, so again I am looking for a house in this direction.

However, referring to the increase in house rent, Taijul Islam said, “Some two-room houses were available between 9-10 thousand earlier. Now they are asking 12-13 thousand rupees.

Apart from running a laundry shop in West Kazipara, Shariful Islam is in charge of overseeing a house. He said that the house rent of three rooms (drawing-dining room, two toilets without lift) is being charged 16 thousand taka. And electricity, gas and water bills are separate.

Shariful Islam said that about five years ago, the rent of that house was 12 to 13 thousand taka. After Corona, in 2021, the owner increased the rent and fixed Tk 14-15 thousand. Last January, the rent was 16,000 taka.
The owner wanted to increase the rent of the shop where Shariful was doing business. He said, I took the shop on a three-year contract. The rent is seven thousand rupees. The owner asked to pay a rent of 9 thousand rupees. But for the time being could not increase due to the contract.

Several residents and tenants of these areas say that the demand for housing in different areas of Mirpur has increased since the launch of the Metrorail. Even those who had moved to other areas due to suffering in the project work, are again taking up residence in Mirpur. House rent has also increased. Especially in the areas near Metrorail stations Sheorapara, Kazipara, Mirpur-10, Mirpur-11 and Pallavi (Mirpur-12) the rent has increased more than before.

The owner has issued a notice to rent a two-room house on the top floor of a six-storey house named Hosna Manzil in Block C of Pallabi area in Mirpur-12 of the capital. The distance of the house is less than 300 meters from Pallavi station of Metrorail. Abdul Jalil, security guard of the house, said that the house rent is 11,000 taka per month. Along with service fee (service charge) 1000 taka and another 600 taka for water bill. Gas and electricity service prepaid system. The bill is the tenant’s own.

When asked why the rent of a two-room house is so high, Abdul Jalil said, “Due to the metro rail, the house rent in all areas of Mirpur has already gone up.” All the goods are cheap in the market. So Sir (landlord) has increased the rent by 1 thousand taka.

Similarly, the house rent has increased in a building called Setaras Dream near Metrorail station No. 11. The rent for a flat on the 11th floor of this 18-storey building is asking 20,000 taka. Also service charge of 5 thousand 550 taka has to be paid for lift, janitor, garage and dirt. And the electricity and gas bill of the tenant. Mozammel Haque, security guard of the building, said that the previous tenant used to pay 19,000 rupees for the house.

The house is located next to Begum Rokeya Sarni. The house is 1 thousand 650 square feet. When asked about the reason for the increase in rent, Mozammel Haque said, “The owner can tell why the rent is increasing.”