Viability of capital relocation

The task force on economic strategy redesign has suggested relocating the capital from Dhaka as the city of over 20 million residents has become unliveable on all counts. The task force report has explained the reasons behind its recommendation, which include Dhaka's overcrowding, environmental hazard, susceptibility to disasters and the concentration of economic activities and growth. The recommendation has sparked debates among policymakers, urban planners and the general public.

Dhaka is one of the most densely populated and unhealthy cities in the world. According to the latest World Population Review, over 23,000 people live in per square kilometre within a total area of 300 square kilometres in the city. The city faces persistent air pollution issues, and suffers from endemic severe traffic congestion, pollution, and inadequate public services. The task force, in its report submitted to the government last month, has argued that the city's current condition leads to wastage of huge work hours and hampers productivity, resulting in unfathomable economic losses and quality of life.

The findings of research organisations and observations of urban planning experts corroborate the argument of the task force. According to urban planning experts, the city's narrow roads, unplanned development, and an increasing number of vehicles lead to daily traffic gridlocks, wasting millions of work hours annually. The report of a 2022 study by the Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies (BIDS) concluded that traffic congestion costs the economy approximately $3.0 billion per year due to lost productivity and fuel consumption. Moreover, inefficient urban planning and non-compliance of rules and regulations have led to the haphazard construction of structures, further straining the already limited space available for road expansion and public transport infrastructure.

While recommending capital relocation, the task force report has warned that unless decisive actions are taken, Dhaka will become increasingly unliveable. The relocation of capitals is not unprecedented. Several countries, including Pakistan, Brazil, Myanmar and Kazakhstan, shifted their capitals to redistribute economic growth and decongest urban centres. The capital of Pakistan was shifted from Karachi to Rawalpindi temporarily in the early 1960s and then to Islamabad for regional balance. Brazil's capital, Brasília, was designed to promote regional development, while Myanmar shifted its capital from Yangon to Naypyidaw for strategic and administrative reasons. In 1997, Kazakhstan relocated its capital from Almaty to Astana, now named Nur-Sultan, to facilitate economic and geopolitical advantages. The Egyptian government is currently developing a new administrative capital to the east of Cairo to ease population pressure and modernise governance.

The relocation of the Bangladesh capital might, however, not be financially viable in the short term. It will require huge funds and time for developing infrastructures besides facing numerous other challenges, particularly political ones. The government can, however, take a long-term roadmap for future relocation.

Now the government should take a number of immediate steps to make Dhaka more habitable. The step should include the relocation of industries, business establishments, and major educational institutions outside of Dhaka city, which will reduce the burden on the city. Besides, the authorities should demolish unauthorised structures that contribute to congestion and environmental degradation. Efforts should be initiated to expand the road network and develop alternative transport routes to mitigate traffic congestion. Furthermore, reclaiming roads and footpaths from illegal occupation is important to ensure smooth pedestrian traffic movement. If these measures are implemented effectively, they could significantly improve Dhaka's liveability and economic efficiency. If all these can be done, the country will not need an immediate relocation of the capital.

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