Displaced Hwh residents get relief cheques, worry about container stay
Times of India | 28 March 2025
12 Howrah: The state on Thursday distributed compensation cheques to 113 families affected by the Belgachhia landfill collapse in Howrah. DM P Deepapriya and MLA Manoj Tiwari oversaw the proceedings at Belghachia Surendranath Memorial High School.
Sixty families whose homes sustained major damage received Rs 15,000 each while 53 families with minor damage to their homes got Rs 10,000 each. The compensation followed urban development minister Firhad Hakim's announcement on Tuesday during a meeting in Howrah.
The collapse destroyed multiple homes and caused structural damage to others. Residents faced water shortage and road access issues, leading to protests. Residents Vijay Paswan and Pratima Hazra confirmed receiving compensation cheques.
The administration completed the first phase of distribution within two days of Hakim's announcement.
Meanwhile, local authorities' plan to house the homeless individuals in converted shipping containers has sparked controversy as temperatures continue to rise in the region. The municipality arranged seven 10ftx20ft containers from Kidderpore, each designed to accommodate 10 people. Workers are installing eight windows on each side and applying interior primer. However, locals raised concerns about habitability since the containers don't have basic amenities, like electricity.
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