Freeing Dhaka of chaos and congestion

In this modern age of technology, is it necessary that all government ministries should remain confined to one place -- the Bangladesh Secretariat? Much of the Dhaka city's congestion will be eased if the government ministries can be relocated to its suburbs and adjoining districts. Narayanganj, Savar, Keraniganj and Gazipur, to cite here the names of some possible locations, can be favourably considered as the potential sites for relocating several ministries. Only defence, finance, planning, home, information and foreign affairs can retain their offices in Dhaka; other ministries may be moved out in phases to places outside Dhaka. These ministries can be connected via fibre optic cables and secured VPN. This will fit well into the scheme of things at a time when we are talking about a really digital Bangladesh. In this context, the government can consider steps on a priority basis to facilitate relocation of a good number of ministries. It can shift the ministries in phases to places outside the main capital city. The ministries of energy and power, communications, forest and environment, food and agriculture can go to Gazipur while those of port and shipping, textile, jute and industry can move to Naraynganj or even to Chittagong. The ministries of health, education, labour and manpower, science and technology, youth and sports can go to Savar. Likewise, the ministries of commerce, land and cultural affairs can be relocated to Keraniganj. Why should not the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) affairs ministry be based at Ranagmati? All these relocated ministries can be also connected via fibre optic cables and secured VPN. Once relocated after setting up infrastructures, the existing facilities of these ministries can be appropriately used. Gazipur, Savar and Narayanganj can have better road and other communications. E-governance can be put in place. Then gradually all garments factories, leather industries and other polluting industries need to be moved out of Dhaka to specific locations. Major portion of garments industries can go to Keraniganj and Gazaria Garments palli (garments village) and the leather industries to the leather complex at Nabinagar. Residential areas like Dhanmondi, Banani, Gulshan, Uttara, Malibagh, and Lalbagh in Dhaka city do need to be cleaned on a priority basis from all kinds of commercial activities. It is also the appropriate time to relocate the BDR and Army headquarters to suitable places outside Dhaka. These two establishments situated in congested city areas are causing serious bottlenecks for traffic movement. The democratic government with people's mandate as the source of its strength, does need to take and implement such tough decisions. What useful purpose are these establishments serving to national cause occupying such large areas in Dhaka city? The present government had pledged through its election manifesto that it would take steps for ensuring administrative decentralization and development devolution. Relocation of some government offices and other establishments to adjacent places outside Dhaka, with good road communication and connection through fibre optic cables and secured VPN ensured, will help redeem the electoral pledges of the government besides meeting its stated goals of achieving 'digital' Bangladesh and promoting e-governance.