Task Force on Economic Strategies: Unified metropolitan govt proposed for Dhaka

Staff Reporter :

A high-level task force on economic strategies has recommended the reunification of Dhaka’s two city corporations, drawing comparisons to the recent reunification of Delhi’s municipal bodies.

The task force’s report, submitted to Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus on 30 January, proposes the formation of a ‘Metropolitan Government’ to streamline governance, reduce redundancies, and improve service delivery.

Dhaka was divided into two city corporations in 2011 under the Awami League-led government, a move that faced considerable criticism. However, for nearly three decades, mayors of Dhaka have called for a unified metropolitan governance system to better integrate utility services and enhance operational efficiency.

The late Mohammad Hanif, Dhaka’s first elected mayor, first proposed this model in 1996, but successive governments dismissed the idea, citing administrative challenges.

The task force’s report identifies critical urban issues, including an inefficient road network covering only 7 per cent of the city, outdated traffic management systems, and uncoordinated transport infrastructure.

It suggests consolidating all transit services – including buses, metro, and rideshare operations – under a single administrative authority to improve mobility.

Urban planning also remains a major concern. According to the report, 85 per cent of urban development is unauthorised, and unplanned land use has caused significant environmental degradation.

Additionally, the city’s central business district is disproportionately located in the south, while residential areas are concentrated in the north, exacerbating traffic congestion.

The report highlights Dhaka’s declining traffic speeds, now among the slowest globally, as a reflection of its infrastructural challenges. Other issues include inadequate drainage systems, groundwater depletion, and restricted development zones, all of which hinder sustainable urban expansion.

The task force draws on international examples, particularly the reunification of Delhi’s municipal corporations in 2022. Delhi’s division into three entities in 2012 resulted in administrative inefficiencies and financial instability.

The reunification streamlined governance, improved resource allocation, and strengthened service delivery-outcomes the task force believes Dhaka could emulate.

In addition to reunification, the report emphasises the need for comprehensive urban reforms, including a strategic plan to either decentralise or relocate parts of the capital. It notes that over 40 countries, including India, Indonesia, and Brazil, have undertaken similar initiatives to reduce overcrowding and promote sustainable growth.

The task force concludes that without urgent and decisive action, Dhaka risks further infrastructural decline, jeopardising its ability to function as a modern, investment-friendly capital. It urges the immediate implementation of the proposed reforms to secure the city’s long-term viability and resilience.