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Bogura, one of the oldest municipalities in Bangladesh, is poised to become the country's 13th city corporation - a move widely expected to boost civic infrastructure, attract investment in real estate, expand tourism, and promote trade in the greater northern region.
The 152-year-old Bogura Pourashava, long regarded as the administrative and commercial heart of North Bengal, now stands on the verge of a transformative upgrade.
The formal declaration of its city corporation status is anticipated soon, following final procedural clearances and a gazette notification.
"The Bogura City Corporation will be announced shortly, as we are now finalising its mouza-wise area demarcation," said Hosna Afroza, deputy commissioner of Bogura.
She added: "Bogura has long been deprived. With city corporation status, residents will finally have access to many essential civic services."
Civic planners, business leaders, and local residents are expressing optimism that the elevation will bring structured urban planning, expanded municipal services, and robust infrastructure improvements to this historically significant town. Currently, Bogura municipality has 1,340 kilometers of roads - but only 450 kilometers are concrete-paved. In the fiscal year 2023-24, the municipality earned Tk600 million in revenue. The area is also home to a diverse range of industries, including ceramics, cold storages, 272 foundry units, light engineering workshops (notably in agricultural machinery), auto rice mills, an oxygen plant, and several real estate companies.
"We have been neglected for the last 16 years, largely because this is the birthplace of former president and BNP founder Ziaur Rahman," said Sajedur Rahman Choton, a longtime resident.
"Since the political changeover on August 05, locals have been demanding city corporation status, and the district administration has been working toward it."
In February 2025, the district administration submitted a proposal to the Ministry of Local Government to upgrade the municipality.
Hearings have since been held, including one as recently as June 19, with final formalities now nearly complete.
"We expect to send the final file to the ministry next week," said Masum Ali Beg, administrator of Bogura Pourashava.
He also said that with the elevation, the city's geographical area and population are expected to increase significantly.
Back in 2004, Bogura Pourashava already spanned 69.56 square kilometres - far above the 25-square-kilometre requirement for city corporation status. Today, its population exceeds one million. "Bogura has always served as the gateway to North Bengal," said a senior official of the Bogura Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
"City corporation status will give us access to larger development budgets and allow implementation of infrastructure projects that were previously beyond the capacity of a pourashava," he commented.
He added that the change will likely ease traffic congestion, improve road networks, and attract investment - particularly in real estate and tourism.
The acting president of the Chamber echoed this sentiment, saying, "Trade and commerce will get a big boost. We have economic potential, but we need the right infrastructure to help investors and traders feel confident operating here."
Local real estate developers also see potential in planned housing projects. Currently, there are about 50 realtors operating in the district.
Tourism operators, too, are hopeful. Bogura is home to Mahasthangarh - one of South Asia's oldest archaeological sites - and is famous for traditional sweets like doi (yogurt). These attractions draw thousands of tourists each year.
"City corporation status could be a game-changer for tourism - if authorities invest in branding Bogura and building visitor-friendly infrastructure," said a tour operator.
Strategically located on the Dhaka-Rangpur highway, Bogura is also a vital agricultural trade hub, supplying vegetables, rice, and agricultural equipment nationwide. Manufacturers of agricultural machinery, concentrated in and around the city, believe the upgrade will help them tap into new markets.
"Becoming a city corporation means we can now think bigger - we can pursue global markets with greater confidence, knowing we'll have improved infrastructure and government support," said the owner of a mid-sized agri-machinery firm.
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