Central business district

This is a welcome news that the Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) is planning to turn Kamrangirchar into a modern central business district. The plan envisages building the business district on the island of 1,200 acres located to the west of Dhaka city surrounded by the Buriganga River. In order to give the project the desired shape the old channel of the Buriganga River will be reclaimed. The DSCC has sought Tk 300 crore from the government to develop the channel incorporating naval traffic and beautification.

The area would be developed to make it look scenic offering all urban facilities and comfort to those who will set up businesses there. It is believed that once completed with all required amenities in place, the hub would be able to attract global business leaders to set up their offices there.

The concept found root when DSCC officials observed that global business conglomerates as well as local companies and corporations needed to set up offices at a central location in the capital city but there was no suitable place for such purpose. Motijheel commercial area which has been the prime business centre of the city for the last 40 plus years has lost its lustre and become overcrowded. And same is the case with other commercial areas in the metropolis.

The necessity of a sprawling central business centre was the need of the time which motivated the authorities to select Kamrangirchar as the planned future hub. The DSCC mayor rightly observed that no land had been developed after Motijheel as a dedicated business area in Dhaka. Experts say most of the large cities in the world are situated on the riverbanks and they have taken advantage of the rivers in terms of beautifying the city and enhancing connectivity. But, it remains to be said that Dhaka could not make the best use of the four rivers that surround the city.

While presenting the concept before the media the relevant officials observed that many Bangladeshi businessmen have set up their corporate offices in Singapore and in other cities in the world. The proposed central business district would offer them international standard facilities.

Among the envisioned facilities there would be a 50-storey trade centre, an international convention centre, a buffer zone, resorts, hotels, parks, and different types of playgrounds. Furthermore, the new hub would have gardens, sporting facilities, boat clubs, souvenir shops, museums, exhibition halls and an elevated walkway to connect the whole area as underground structures are risky. It has also been revealed that some seven-star hotels would be invited to set up their branches while there would also be different types of institutes and condominiums.

This business district would be set up on 81 acres of land in the core area of the business district. According to the officials, a 30-year master plan under a project titled “Preparation of Integrated Master Plan for Dhaka City” has been undertaken. The preparation of the plan, spanning between 2020 and 2050, started in June this year and will be completed by June 2022.

We understand land acquisition still remains an issue in the locale. Though most of the land in the core area of the business district is owned by the government, some had already been grabbed by influential locals. Therefore, the government might have to acquire public land as per the rules and also draw up rehabilitation as well as compensation plans.

We understand, a detailed feasibility study, an environmental impact assessment, a traffic assessment, and a detailed architectural drawing would be completed soon after discussions with community members and experts. And the total financial estimate of the project would be known after the studies were done.

Considering the governance structure of the country, we firmly believe the DSCC alone cannot implement the project, first of its kind in the country. It has to involve prime government machineries like the ministries of finance, local government, land and of course the Prime Minister’s Office. Land acquisition and funding both are critical issues that require go-ahead from the higher authorities of the government.

This remains to be said that the authorities will have to keep the cost factor in mind before undertaking such a mega project. Cost overrun is a regular phenomenon in Bangladesh which often delays completion of a project in time.