Desk Report,
Decentralization of Dhaka as in the developed world is essential
Last month, while traveling in Dorset County, 120 miles from London, we came across a beautiful place and stopped there! We didn’t know that the place was a training area for the British Army and Air Force. We couldn’t even stand still for a minute. All the cars passing by were honking their horns to warn us. We didn’t understand. Later, a little further away, we saw a signboard that said, “Do not stop here, Army training area, shots may come at any time.” As soon as we saw the sign, we quickly got in the car and left the place.
Decentralization of Dhaka as in the developed world is essential
The capital of England is London, and the military training center is 120 miles away from the capital London! Does this make the Mahabharata impure? And you see in my country, everything has to be headquartered in Dhaka! Such a country, such a city, there is no touch of civilization there, no rules and regulations. There is no city planning, no responsibility for the environment. Whoever builds buildings as they wish, if there are legal complications, there is bribery. Compare Uttara and the surrounding areas in 2005 with 2025, 20 years ago, the entire Diabari area, including the Milestone campus that was the victim of the accident yesterday, was a bill. Today, settlements have developed there. Even 20 years ago, planes used to land here, and they still do. Therefore, instead of asking the question of ‘why planes land in a populated area’, it is important to also ask the question of ‘why was the runway made populated’.
The training programs of the army and navy can be moved from populated areas like Dhaka to small islands in Bangladesh, or the programs should be transferred to areas that are not densely populated.
Professor Yunus’ government or the people’s government, their most mandated reform, but so far no logical reform has been seen! Reform does not only mean changes in the electoral system and state structure. If possible, take effective initiatives to decentralize Dhaka! This will be real reform. The work that traditional political parties do not do, the work of decentralization of Dhaka can be such a brave work, take this initiative. Even if the big parties oppose it, you will get public support. Will you do good work, you are not getting any votes by doing politics. However, the people had different expectations from this government, there were many expectations.
Decentralization of Dhaka does not mean the Jalsiri, Bashundhara, Uttara projects. Dhaka is already toxic, that toxin must be spread in the surrounding areas of Dhaka as well. These are not valid plans, the real decentralization of Dhaka is very important. And the first step should be taken by the Yunus government. The next elected government will work by maintaining its continuity.
