Dhaka along with its suburbs has a population of 17 million, according to the latest data published by the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS) and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFA). That makes the city the 11th highest populated metropolitan area in the world. Additionally, with 43,500 people living per square kilometre, makes Dhaka the world's most densely populated city. Mubbai in India is the second most densely populated city with about 32,400 people inhabiting per square kilometer - 1100 less people than in Dhaka. Compared to other megacities across the planet, population density of Bangladesh's capital city is highly atypical. The problems caused by Dhaka's excessively dense population are palpable.
A report that appeared in The Financial Express last week is really frightening. Everyday, some 1,700 people are entering the country's capital on average. In the next couple of years, the scenario is likely to get worse if the trend continues. But it appears that the authorities do not have any comprehensive planning or projection regarding the infrastructure, health service, environmental protection, sewerage and waste management system required to meet the standard of a modern healthy city. Besides, there is hardly any step to minimise the daily influx of 1,700 people to Dhaka - a city already in pain from its dreadful traffic jams.
The government needs to consider immediate plans to improve the conditions of the country's capital city before it is too late. Experts opine that the decentralisation of judicial services along with education, health and banking services can bring positive results for the city's welfare. Industries and businesses should be expanded in other cities and remote municipalities to generate local employment opportunities and restrain the inflow of jobseekers to Dhaka. The government should take proactive measures without any further delay to improve the condition of the capital city.
Lalmatia, Dhaka
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