Dhaka is not what it was even two decades ago. Gradually, the capital city started expanding north and eastwards as it could not move southward because of the river Buriganga.
Although the capital city wore a new look after it started expanding, the old city still remains as it was. In fact, Old Dhaka formed the very capital of independent Bangladesh. Even in 1972, the city had retained its originality with huge spaces in the Lalbagh Fort, the Armanitola 'math' and other open spaces becoming places for retreat for old townspeople. They breathed fresh air in the mornings and the afternoons.
At Lalbagh Fort, young boys used to play football while others moved around the tunnel located in the fort. But none dared enter the tunnel as stories buzzed around that all who had entered it simply vanished. The tunnel was reportedly linked to Dhaka whose ancient name was Jahangirnagar from Keraniganj underneath the Buriganga so as to give safe passage to the then rulers escaping likely onslaughts of the invaders.
But sadly, Old Dhaka has time and again failed to draw due attention of the city fathers. Even members of parliament elected from there cared a fig for its face-lift in the past.
Old buildings and narrow roads and streets are still there. Even serious problems that impede decent human habitation have further been compounded due to rise in population of the old city.
The original people known as Dhakaia Kutty, a rare breed of gentle and hospitable men and women, usually expand their families within themselves, all living within the old city. They still form well-knit close families there.
What has been dangerous is reckless setting up of small factories in the old city. Added to these are inflammable and toxic chemical units. The odor spewing from godowns with raw hides and skins of slaughtered animals still makes one's living there difficult. All taken together, the old city may apparently be only miles away but in effect moonlight years off modern Dhaka located at Dhanmondi, Gulshan, Baridhara and Uttara.
What is really critical and dangerous is that shops and buildings were and are now built without any planning. Thus roads and streets have become narrower and congested, leading to intolerable traffic jams, regret inhabitants there.
Against this backdrop, the fire fighters often find it difficult to move there to douse any blaze when regular fire incidents occur in Old Dhaka. That was exactly why the Nimtoli tragedy in which 124 people were burnt alive had occurred, observe knowing people.
The authorities have miserably failed to relocate the toxic and inflammable chemical and plastic factories despite official recommendations for moving those to Keraniganj across the Buriganga.
The Dhaka South City Corporation too has failed to live up to the people's expectations. It reportedly issues about 1,75,000 trade licences annually to small businessmen under its jurisdiction. All these units are to be surely located in the already congested Old Dhaka. The City Corporation should immediately stop further issuance of licences and evict others if these pose any danger to people's lives.
The Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha also has an onerous task to accomplish. It should immediately carry out a survey of old buildings located in the old city. Buildings that have developed cracks need to be demolished. Roads and streets too need widening. Necessary laws must be enacted so that litigation does not hamper the government's move to make Old Dhaka an historic and integral part of the capital.
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Old Dhaka deserves a facelift
Rahman Jahangir | Published: February 12, 2014 00:00:00 | Updated: November 30, 2026 06:01:00
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