Reza Mahmud :
Bangladesh has incurred losses amounting to billions of taka due to the absence of a crucial physical infrastructure planning law, resulting in unplanned and unsafe constructions across cities.
Experts believe these inadequately planned and designed infrastructures are not only straining the national economy but also making cities increasingly unlivable. This situation often requires costly rebuilds of both government and privately constructed infrastructures.
Sources indicate that the government first announced plans to enact a physical infrastructure planning law, tentatively titled the “Town and Country Planning Act,” during the 1973-78 five-year plan.
However, nearly 50 years later, the law has yet to be established. Construction experts explain that in the absence of such a law, large infrastructure projects, including roads, bridges, flyovers, and buildings, have been developed in an unstructured way, often becoming unsustainable within a short timeframe.
Poorly designed infrastructures also pose safety risks and contribute to public inconvenience.
Experts suggest that had there been an effective planning law in place, substantial resources could have been saved. For example, in cases of frequent building fires in cities, authorities often respond by demolishing parts of the affected structures. If buildings were constructed according to comprehensive planning laws, such incidents might be avoided.
Urban Planner and President of the Bangladesh Institute of Planners (BIP), Adil Muhammad Khan, noted, “In the absence of a physical infrastructure management law, structures once considered beautiful often deteriorate due to flawed designs and planning. Numerous examples of this exist, which is unfortunate for the country.
The government should enact this essential law as soon as possible.” He also mentioned that the Housing and Public Works Ministry had taken steps to draft such a law about 7-8 years ago, which was reviewed by the cabinet.
However, jurisdictional issues among ministries stalled the process. The BIP has since prepared a specialized planning framework that, if followed, could ensure infrastructure sustainability.
Md Hamidur Rahman Khan, Secretary of the Ministry of Housing and Public Works, acknowledged that the country is indeed suffering due to the lack of a planning law for development projects.
He mentioned that his ministry is currently preparing a draft, which will soon be submitted to the advisory council for further consideration.
Dhaka South City Corporation’s former Chief Engineer, Md. Nurullah, highlighted the importance of a physical infrastructure planning law for sustainable urban and rural development, recommending that immediate action be taken to establish it.
The recent Karnaphuli Tunnel project underscores the issue, with a significant flaw in its traffic management plan identified only after 75% of construction was completed.
This oversight raises concerns about the quality of feasibility studies and infrastructure planning in the country. The tunnel, developed at a cost of Tk 11,000 crore, is now seen as economically unfeasible, as it generates only Tk 11 lakh in daily toll revenue while requiring Tk 37.5 lakh for daily maintenance.
Other mega-projects have also faced similar challenges. Over 100 design changes were made to the Moghbazar-Mouchak flyover and the Gazipur-Airport Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project, as well as adjustments to the Padma Bridge railway land acquisition.
Issues such as poor planning, management, inadequate feasibility studies, and lack of accountability have led to significant financial waste.
The Moghbazar-Mouchak flyover, for instance, experienced structural failures that required reconstruction before its opening in October 2017. A team of experts identified major design flaws, including improper ramp lengths and incompatible traffic flow designs.
