ZahidurRahman, a businessman, was walking through Paltan in the capital when a sudden gust of wind blew dust into his nose and mouth, while vehicles around him blared their horns so loudly that even pressing his ears with both hands offered no relief.
“This city is no longer liveable. The only reason I stay here is for work. Otherwise, I would have left long ago. Everything is centralised in Dhaka, forcing citizens to crowd into the city. Even if one wishes to leave in search of a safer life, it is not a viable option,” he said.
The city’s public transport is often so overcrowded that passengers barely find standing room. Many are seen clinging to bus doors at great risk.
MarufulHaque, an official at a private bank, shared his daily struggle saying, “Finding space on a bus during office hours is nearly impossible. But skipping work is not an option. So, we push our way inside or hang onto the door-whatever it takes to reach the office.”
The congestion is not limited to buses. Roads remain gridlocked, while footpaths are barely walkable. “But there is no alternative. We must live in this city. We cram onto buses, struggle through traffic and reach work exhausted. This is our daily reality,” Maruful lamented.
The Case for an Alternative Capital
Professor Dr M ShamsulHoque from the Department of Civil Engineering at Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (Buet) believes the discussion on relocating the capital is beyond debate.
“Around 40 countries have moved their capitals, and some are in the process. Most recently, Indonesia relocated its capital to Nusantara, and Egypt is following suit,” he said.
He added, “Just as a doctor can tell when a patient’s heartbeat is slowing irreversibly, Dhaka is beyond repair. Despite massive investments, there has been no improvement. The city has become non-responsive.”
Countries such as India, Pakistan, Brazil, Nigeria, Myanmar, Malaysia, Indonesia, Egypt, and South Korea have either moved or are moving their capitals, mainly due to overpopulation and traffic congestion.
Other concerns include groundwater depletion, environmental degradation, pollution and natural disasters. Many nations aim to create modern, smart, environmentally sustainable, and investment-friendly capitals.
Purbachal: A Missed Opportunity?
According to DrHoque, Dhaka urgently needs an alternative, and Purbachal could have been a viable option. “Some may find this idea shocking, others emotional. But the country cannot run on emotions. Had we planned earlier, Purbachal could have been an affordable alternative capital.”
He explained, “Purbachal is elevated and flood-free-an essential feature for a capital. Unlike other parts of Dhaka, which required landfilling, Purbachal has naturally solid ground, reducing construction costs.”
But, the area has now been turned into a township. “We have distributed plots, making individuals millionaires. This is an injustice no modern nation would commit. In a densely populated country like ours, plots should not be allocated in this manner-flats would have been more appropriate.”
DrHoque also pointed out Dhaka’s deteriorating condition. “In 2005, the average vehicle speed was 25 km/h; now, it has dropped to 5 km/h. Dhaka’s heartbeat is nearing zero. Despite all efforts, the city continues to decline.”
A City Beyond Its Capacity
DrAkter Mahmud, a professor of Urban and Regional Planning at Jahangirnagar University, highlighted Dhaka’s alarming population density. “The city covers only 300 square kilometres but houses around 15 to 20 million people, although official statistics claim 10.6 million. That is inaccurate.”
“With 48,000 people per square kilometre, Dhaka is the world’s most densely populated capital. Ideally, a city should have no more than 200 people per acre, but in some areas, like Lalbagh, it reaches 600.”
Such overpopulation leads to severe consequences: “Pollution of air and water, traffic congestion and a lack of open spaces and parks. Schools lack playgrounds, and children grow up in cramped conditions, affecting their mental development.”
Dr Mahmud said, “Essential services cannot meet demand. Securing a doctor’s appointment is a challenge. Public transport, hospitals, and other facilities are overcrowded. This results in poor living standards.”
Addressing the problem is not simple, he warned. “People flock to Dhaka for jobs, education, and healthcare. Additionally, river erosion and other factors force migration. While shifting the capital may be costly for a country like Bangladesh, decentralising services can be an effective solution.”
A Multi-Capital Approach?
Dr Mahmud suggested a different strategy: “Malaysia established Putrajaya as an administrative capital, while Frankfurt serves as Germany’s financial hub. Bangladesh could designate Chattogram as the economic capital while keeping administrative functions in Dhaka or another city like Cumilla.”
Investing in other cities could gradually reduce Dhaka’s burden, he argued. “More government and private sector investment in divisional and district towns would generate jobs and encourage people to stay in their hometowns.”
Opposition to an Alternative Capital
However, Dhaka North City Corporation Administrator Mohammad Ejaz dismissed the idea of an alternative capital.
“This is impractical. Look at Malaysia or other countries that moved their capitals-many were ineffective. Dhaka is not inherently dysfunctional; it is our mismanagement that has caused the issues,” he said.
He insisted, “If Dhaka were unliveable, people wouldn’t keep coming. Try stopping them-they will still find a way in. The city is alive, which proves it is functioning.”
“Labelling Dhaka ineffective is baseless. Instead of seeking alternatives, we should focus on making it more liveable-something that has never been properly attempted,” he added.
AtaurRahmanRaihan is a staff writer of UNB news agency