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Kolkata, 2 May,2026:
Salesian Leads Low-Cost Housing Mission in Kolkata Slum
News reported by: Fr C M Paul SDB
Fr. Mathew George marked May Day with the construction of 30 new homes at Kapali Bagan–Narkeldanga, extending a project that has already built 678 shelters for people with low incomes.
For years, Mohammed Salim’s children slept under a flimsy sheet of plastic stretched over bamboo poles by Kolkata’s Canal Road. Each monsoon, rising water threatened to wash away their fragile shelter. On May Day, that fear finally ended as his family stepped into a low-cost brick and tin house — a home they could call their own.
The inauguration of 30 low‑cost houses at Kapali Bagan–Narkeldanga slum marked a turning point for families who had long endured life in precarious canal‑side shacks. Vulnerable to fire, flooding, disease, and insecurity, they now move into permanent homes that promise safety, sanitation, and dignity.
The initiative, led by Kolkata Salesians under the vision of former Theology Professor Fr. Mathew George, has steadily transformed lives since its launch seven years ago. With the latest addition, the project has now completed 678 houses, each handed over to families most in need.
Beneficiaries voiced heartfelt gratitude. “This house is more than shelter — it is dignity. My daughters can grow up without fear,” said Shabana Begum, a mother of three. Another resident, Mohammed Salim, added, “We thank Don Bosco Fathers and Fr. Mathew George for remembering us when no one else did. Now my children can sleep in peace.”
The inauguration ceremony brought together local leaders, representatives of the Salesian Province of Calcutta, and residents who celebrated the milestone with joy. The event underscored the power of collective compassion in tackling urban poverty and highlighted the Salesians’ commitment to holistic community development.
Reflecting on the journey, Fr. Mathew George said: “Every family deserves a roof that protects, a space that nurtures, and a home that restores dignity. These houses are not just shelters — they are symbols of solidarity and hope.”
The Kapali Bagan project stands as a beacon of what faith‑driven humanitarian action can achieve. It offers a model for similar efforts across India, reminding society that with commitment and compassion, transformation is possible — even in the most neglected corners of our cities.
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