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A taskforce on economic strategies has recommended unifying Dhaka's two city corporations, saying the central business district's location is in the south, while large planned residential development is concentrated in the north, leading to a high demand for travel.
The taskforce found that Dhaka is ill-equipped to function as a modern, smart, and investment-friendly capital.
It noted that around 40 countries worldwide have either relocated or planned to relocate their capitals to develop more modern and well-planned cities.
The report highlighted that neighbouring India reunified its capital, Delhi, in 2022 to address administrative challenges.
Previously, Delhi had three separate municipal bodies - South, North, and East Delhi.
"The fragmentation of a vital city has created coordination challenges in delivering essential services to residents," the task force's report said.
It said, "Despite these glaring issues, there is no strategic plan to relocate or decentralise Dhaka's capital functions, even though neighbouring countries have successfully executed similar transitions".
The question of shifting Dhaka is no longer about feasibility but about survival - socially, economically, and environmentally, according to the report submitted on January 30.
Citing the Municipal Corporation of Delhi as an example, the taskforce argued that a reunification of Dhaka's city corporations would bring about centralised governance, improved financial stability, enhanced administrative efficiency, and better urban service delivery.
The report, submitted to Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus, proposed forming a "metropolitan government" by unifying the North and South city corporations.
It recommended developing a comprehensive urban master plan by integrating land use, transport infrastructure, and public services.
A key recommendation was the establishment of a unified mass transit authority to oversee all public transport systems, including bus route franchising (BRF), trams, BRT, LRT, monorails, suburban commuter rail, MRT, and ridesharing services.
This administrative body would be managed by either the mayoral office or a dedicated local government agency to ensure seamless coordination.
Regarding aviation infrastructure, the taskforce noted that Dhaka relies on a single airport with a single runway, unlike neighbouring countries that have developed multiple airports and runways to support their growing urban and economic needs.
"The city suffers from a poorly designed road network, covering only 7.0 per cent of the total area, with no clear hierarchy among primary, secondary, and tertiary roads".
There is also a lack of arterial routes, and traffic management remains outdated. No modern solutions, such as one-way traffic flows, tidal traffic management, road pricing, or multimodal transport hubs, have been implemented, according to the report.
The report pointed out that accessibility to essential services, such as hospitals, offices, and schools, remains inadequate.
This issue is further exacerbated by chronic drainage problems and groundwater depletion, posing significant challenges to Dhaka's urban sustainability.
jasimharoon@yahoo.com