Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh, is a mega city of around 2.3 crore (23 million) people. Currently, it has the highest population density of 38,000 residents per square kilometre, with an annual population growth of about 3.2%. Because of this overpopulation, people in Dhaka city have been suffering a lot and much working hours are lost. About $1.68 billion is lost every year due to the traffic congestion in Dhaka city. The quality of air is deteriorating gradually and environmental pollution is increasing as well. Air pollution is causing lung cancer. Water pollution is contributing to the increase in diseases like typhoid and diarrhoea.
23 Million
Total population
38,000 Residents per Square Kilometer
Population density
Annually 3.2%
Population growth rate
Annually $1.68 Billion
Lost to traffic jam
In this situation, decentralisation of Dhaka city is necessary to ensure a sustainable future. It can help alleviate the burden and promote a balanced growth. It can also help distribute resources, encourage regional growth and improve connectivity. Thus, with an aim to decentralise Dhaka, the Purbachal Residential Project was planned to designate around 10 lakh of people.
Purbachal Residential Project
6227 Acres (25 Sq. km)
Area of Purbachal
30 Sectors
Purbachal divided into
26,000 Residential Properties
In Purbachal
62,000 Apartments
In Purbachal
2,000 Plots
Related to urban services
Purbachal Residential Project is the biggest project initiated by the RAJUK authority. The project area is about 6227 acres (25 square kilometres) encompassing areas in Khilkhet of Dhaka, Gazipur and Narayanganj districts. It will have an eight-lane expressway connected with Pragati Swarani. According to the plan, around 26000 residential properties with 62,000 apartments are supposed to be constructed. There are around 2,000 plots related to urban services with educational institutions. Additionally, the total area of this project is segmented into 30 sectors.
It took around 10 years for the government to approve the Purbachal project. The initial estimated cost of the project was around BDT 3,312 crore (33.12 billion). After many extensions and changes in the project, the project cost increased to BDT 7,782 crore (77.82 billion).
Increased by 234%
After extensions
3 Districts
Khilgaon of Dhaka, Kaliganj of Gazipur and Rupganj of Narayanganj
16 km
Away from zero point of Dhaka
Balu River and Sitalakshya River
bounded by rivers to the west and east
Purbachal Residential Project is located at Rupganj Upazila of Narayanganj district and the Kaliganj Upazila of Gazipur district, having the river Balu to the west and the river Sitalakhya to the east. It is 16 kilometers away from the zero point of Dhaka. Among the total land area, 38.60% will be used as residential area. The further land is distributed as 25.9% road, 6.41% administrative and commercial establishments, 7.1% lakes or canals, 6% educational institutions, 6% utility, urban facilities & social Infrastructures, 6.6% urban green and open spaces and 2.5% will be used for sports.
Land Distribution of Purbachal
In percentage
No Data Found
On June 22, 2023, the government approved the proposal for constructing high-rise apartments at the PNT Project for the low-income group people. The approval came from the 14th meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA). RAJUK will build high-rise apartments at Purbachal on a PPP basis instead of the G to G agreement with Singapore that was proposed earlier. The high-rise apartments will be built at Sectors 3, 8,9,10,13, 25 and 29 of the Purbachal New Town Project.
4 Revisions
In 2004, 2005, 2009 and 2013
2002-03
4300 acres of Narayanganj
January, 2013
1500 acres of Gazipur
The revised project implementation period of the project is July, 1995 to December, 2024. Development works have been going on in 4500 acres of the Narayangonj part since the 2002-2003 fiscal year. On the other hand, development works of 1500 acres of the Gazipur part have been started from January, 2013. Since the initiation of the development work, Rajuk revised its design in 2004, 2005, 2009, and in 2013.
RAJUK couldn’t complete the project in accordance with the plan. The project has been extended seven times (six times at least) since the initiation and RAJUK officials cited four core reasons behind the delay.
COVID
The project was about to be completed in 2022 after the extensions for six times. But the work could not be completed within the expected time due to the general holidays declared in the light of Covid pandemic. Moreover, there was a lack of manpower as well.
Lawsuits
The affected people had a misconception about the project. Thus, they filed lawsuits against RAJUK, which exacerbated the law and order situation.
Modification of Design
The project consists of 29,776 different types of plots. Among them, some institutional plots are created by modifying the original design of the project. In connection with the matter, a lawsuit was filed. Due to the prevailing lawsuits, there has been a delay in the project.
Shifting Existing Institutions
The final reason is considered to be the shifting of existing religious and educational institutions in the Purbachal area from one place to another. The project has been delayed in the process of persuading them to shift these institutions.
Even though the project is expected to be completed by December, 2024, a lot of work is to be done. Thus, there is an uncertainty about the completion of the project within this timeline.
Site and Road Development
96% completed
by June 2023
315 Kilometers Road Constructed
of 365 km planned
On the project, 96% site development works were completed by June of 2023 and the rest are expected to be completed by December, 2024. The works of sectors 1-5, 11 to 14, and 17 have almost been completed. Moreover, the site development at Gazipur part has been completed and tendering for execution is under process. The Purbachal Residential Project consists of around 365 kilometres of road, among which 315 kilometres have been constructed.
Construction of Bridges
Out of 56 bridges in the project, a total of 42 have been constructed already and the structure of the rest of the bridges are almost ready.
1103 MW
Estimated electricity demand
Based on the consumer demand, electricity has been given in all sectors of Purbachal. The estimated electricity demand for Purbachal township is around 1103MW. BDT 0.5-0.6 billion has already been spent on the establishment of electric lines.
Water Supply Project
340 Million Litres per Day
Estimated water supply
BDT 5.92 billion
Estimated budget for water supply project
RAJUK is implementing the Water Supply Project to provide water in the area. With a target to supply around 340 million litres of water daily in the Purbachal residential project area, 320 kilometres (km) pipeline network, 15 deep tube-wells, an administrative building and a workshop was said to be constructed under this project. This project is being carried out at a cost of BDT 592.39 crore (5.92 billion) out of which RAJUK will invest BDT 299.80 crore (2.99 billion) and the remaining cost will be invested by the United Delcot Water Limited. The project will be implemented in four phases. The first phase of this project has been completed where water was supplied in four sectors (sector 1, 2,3,4).
Plot Handover
Out of 26213 plots in the Purbachal Residential Project, 24724 has been handed over and the handing over of the rest is ongoing.
Sub-projects
There are many sub-projects under the Purbachal New Town Project. Some of them are Purbachal Expressway, Dhaka University new campus, Bangabandhu Tri-tower, Sheikh Hasina International Cricket Stadium, Central Business District, Bangabandhu Bangladesh–China Friendship Exhibition Center, Dhaka Bypass Expressway etc.
The Bangabandhu Tri Tower project is one of the biggest parts in the Purbachal New Town Project. The 111 storied Iconic Tower (also known as Legacy Tower) is a part of Bangabandhu tri-tower. The Bangabandhu tri-tower also consists of 71-floors Liberation Tower and 52-floors Language Tower. It is located at sector 19 of the project. All of these three towers will be used as offices. Japanese construction giant Kajima Corporation, along with their Bangladeshi partner Sikder Group has been working to complete the project. The Bangabandhu tri-tower will be an eco-friendly project with modern waste management, huge parking area and a power station.
Recommendations
- In the Purbachal New Town Project, there is no provision for plots that can be acquired by local people. Though the government is building high-rise apartments for low-income people, this is not adequate to manage the dislocated people. Due to this project many local residents, living on agriculture, were displaced. Thus, the plan should offer some low cost plots to ensure social mix and justice to those dislocated groups.
- Even though the PNT Project enabled residential development, it overlooked the preservation of ecological sensitive zones. The plan should consider the preservation of the natural ecosystem.
- In a sustainable city extension, 30%- 40% floor space should be allocated for commercial use according to UN-Habitat’s Sustainable Planning Principles. This principle is necessary to provide adequate job opportunities to its residents. Thus, there should be a reconsideration regarding proper economic activities.
- RAJUK lacked proper planning, which resulted in delays on the implementation of the project. Moreover, initially the plan was to implement an underground project and remove dangling cables. But now, they are installing cables in Purbachal overhead due a fund crisis. Even though the plan is to carry out a separate underground project later, it can result in more expense. So, proper planning is necessary at this step.
- An internal audit for the fiscal year 2018-19 of RAJUK disclosed discrepancies regarding 126 acres of missing land. The monetary value of that land is BDT 110 million. The authority didn’t provide any explanation. This issue should be highlighted and similar incidents should be prevented with strict laws.
- According to the existing rules, the construction of a 10, 12 or 14-storey building on a seven to eight katha plot is permissible. But it questions the habitability of the project. Steps should be taken to make the project more habitable.
Cover Photo: Dhaka Tribune.
About the Author
Hamim Mubtasim is the Brand Manager at The Confluence. He is currently pursuing his undergraduate studies at the Institute of Business Administration, University of Dhaka. A business student by choice and marketing geek by passion, he aspires to manage big brands someday.