Purbachal New Town Project
Purbachal
পূর্বাচল | |
|---|---|
 Central district plan of Purbachal | |
 Expandable map of Purbachal | |
  Purbachal Location of Purbachal within Dhaka  Purbachal Location of Purbachal within Dhaka Division  Purbachal Location of Purbachal within Bangladesh | |
| Coordinates: 23°51′23″N 90°30′11″E / 23.85639°N 90.50306°E | |
| Country | Bangladesh |
| Division | Dhaka Division |
| District | Dhaka District |
| City Corporation | Dhaka North City Corporation |
| Area | |
• Total | 25.14 km2 (9.71 sq mi) |
| Time zone | UTC+6 (Bangladesh Time) |
| Postal Code | 1460[1] |
| Area code | 02[2] |
Purbachal New Town Project (Bengali: পূর্বাচল নতুন শহর প্রকল্প) or formerly Purbachal Residential Model Town is the biggest planned township in Bangladesh. The project area consists of about 6,213 acres (25.14 km2) land located between the Shitalakshya and the Balu rivers at Rupganj thana of Narayanganj district and at Kaliganj thana of Gazipur district, in the northeastern side of Dhaka. The township is linked with a fourteen-lane expressway from the Airport Road-Progati Sarani intersection in Dhaka. The plan includes the provision of approximately 26,000 residential plots of various sizes and 62,000 apartments, complete with essential infrastructure and urban amenities.[3]
In 2022, a central business district was announced to be constructed at Purbachal. Covering an area of 114 acres, its key attraction is the Bangabandhu Tri-Tower, a collection of three skyscrapers called Language Tower, Liberation Tower, and Legacy Tower, which will offer upscale real estate tailored to the requirements of multinational corporations. Upon completion, the area would reportedly offer a sophisticated business center, commercial spaces, retail outlets, luxurious apartments, convention facilities, a hospital, an international school, and various other essential community services.[4]
The project, initiated in 1995, has experienced several delays and the completion date was extended by one and a half years, from June 2022 to December 2024.[5] Japanese construction giant Kajima Corporation, along with their Bangladeshi partner Sikder Group, has announced the 111-storied Legacy Tower in sector 19 would be completed in 2034.[6]
Background
[edit]Dhaka has transformed into one of the busiest and most densely populated cities, leading to a significant shortage of adequate housing for its inhabitants. Consequently, some residential areas within Dhaka have become increasingly overcrowded and unsanitary, contributing to an unhealthy living environment. To alleviate the population pressure on Dhaka, it was imperative to develop the surrounding areas in a systematic manner and create additional high-quality permanent residential accommodations for the vast population.[3]
The complete detailed area plan was divided into five groups and a number of small locations. These were awarded to five firms—Development Design Consultants, Engineering and Planning Consultants, GBL Group, Sheltech, and BETS Consulting Services.[7]
Land use
[edit]Within this urban area, 33 percent of the land is designated for residential buildings. Furthermore, 26 percent is allocated for roads and sidewalks, while 9 percent is devoted to essential infrastructure encompassing health, education, social, and utility services. Canals and lakes cover 8 percent of the area, with 7 percent dedicated to administrative and commercial functions. Additionally, 6 percent of the land is set aside for forests, eco-parks, and green spaces. Residential housing blocks occupy 6 percent, while 5 percent of the land is preserved for recreational purposes within this city.[8]
Progress
[edit]
Site development works of sector 1–5, 11 to 14 & 17 have nearly been completed. For other sectors the site development works are progressing smoothly. Estimate for site development at Gazipur part has been completed and tendering for execution is under process. Road construction works in sector no 1 to 5, 11, 13, 14 & 17 have nearly been completed. For other sectors the road construction works are ongoing. At 1st phase 7 no.s of bridge construction work are ongoing. At 2nd phase 4 no.s of bridge construction work are ongoing. Rest of the bridges are in the process of tendering. Necessary actions are being taken for establishing of utility services viz electricity, gas, water supply, sewerage and telecommunication etc. through the connection authority. The handing over of plots in the sectors 4, 5 and 17 has started in March 2011. Handing over of plot in the sectors 3, 11, 12,13 and 14 is expected to be started quickly.
It may take five more years to hand over plots to 25,000 owners, who have fallen in uncertainty. The stipulated time to complete the project was 2008. But it may take more time as only 25 per cent work had so far been completed. According to the project map, there will be 10 bridges, but no tender to this effect was floated. Only 15 kilometer roads inside the project have been completed out of 140 kilometers in the sectors 1, 4, 5, 11, and 17. The handing over of plots in the sectors 4, 5 and 17 has been started. No necessary steps have been taken for establishing utility services like electricity, gas, water supply, sewerage and telecommunications.[9]
Criticisms
[edit]Delays and mismanagement
[edit]Initially slated for completion by early 2010s, the project has faced prolonged delays, with the deadline extended seven times. Cited causes include the COVID-19 pandemic, legal disputes, local resistance and relocation delays.[5][10] As of 2024[update], large parts of the area remain underdeveloped or vacant.[11][12] Cases have been filed in 2025 against 100 individuals, including Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and members of her family, over alleged irregularities in plot allocations for the project.[13]
Inadequate infrastructure and services
[edit]While roads have been constructed, many areas still lack water supply, electricity, gas connections, and sewage infrastructure. There is a lack of operational schools, markets, hospitals, fire stations, and police services.[12][14] Power distribution and internet lines are being installed overhead, abandoning the original plan for underground infrastructure due to funding constraints.[15]
Environmental degradation
[edit]The authority has faced criticism for filling wetlands, clearing vegetation, and removing forested areas without obtaining environmental clearance.[16][17] A 144-acre (0.58 km2) Sal forest in Purbachal, previously under threat, has been included in conservation efforts in 2025.[18]
Landmarks
[edit]- Purbachal Expressway
- Dhaka University 2nd campus[19]
- Bangabandhu Tri-Tower[6]
- Purbachal International Cricket Stadium
- Purbachal Central Business District[6]
- Bangladesh–China Friendship Exhibition Center
- Neela Market
References
[edit]- ^ "Bangladesh Postal Code". Dhaka: Bangladesh Postal Department under the Department of Posts and Telecommunications of the Ministry of Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology of the People's Republic of Bangladesh. 19 October 2024.
- ^ "Bangladesh Area Code". China: Chahaoba.com. 18 October 2024.
- ^ a b "Purbachal New Town Project". Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha.
- ^ "Purbachal Central Business District project launched". Dhaka Tribune. 11 March 2022.
- ^ a b Hossain, Saddam (17 May 2023). "Purbachal New Town project delayed due to 4 reasons including Covid". Prothom Alo English. Retrieved 7 March 2024.
- ^ a b c "Story of the Iconic Legacy Tower in Bangladesh". The Business Standard. 20 March 2021. Retrieved 7 March 2024.
- ^ "Detailed Area Plan DAP". RAJUK. Archived from the original on 6 August 2020.
- ^ "গড়ে উঠছে পূর্বাচল ॥ ঢাকার কাছে আরেক শহর" [Purbachal Rising: Another City Near Dhaka]. Daily Janakantha (in Bengali). 30 April 2023. Retrieved 7 March 2024.
- ^ "thenewnationbd.com - Wir sind eine Nation". Archived from the original on 30 June 2013. Retrieved 28 June 2016.
- ^ Karim, Rezaul (7 December 2020). "25 years on, Purbachal project still limping". The Business Standard. Retrieved 24 July 2025.
- ^ "পূর্বাচলে প্লট বিক্রি করে দিচ্ছেন প্রবাসীরা: ৩০ বছরেও গড়ে উঠেনি আবাসন" [Expatriates selling plots in Purbachal: Housing not developed in 30 years] (video). ATN News (in Bengali). Multimedia Production Company. 1 June 2024. Retrieved 24 July 2025.
- ^ a b "পূর্বাচলে স্বপ্ন দেখানো পরিকল্পিত উপশহরের নেই কোন অগ্রগতি" [No progress on the planned township in Purbachal] (video). Jamuna Television (in Bengali). Jamuna Group. 1 December 2024. Retrieved 24 July 2024.
- ^ "Cases against 100 people including Hasina over plot scam ready for trial". Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha. 20 July 2025. Retrieved 24 July 2025.
- ^ Hasan, Rashidul (28 January 2022). "Purbachal not fully ready for habitation". Daily Sun. Retrieved 24 July 2025.
- ^ Sajid, Eyamin (4 September 2021). "Another wasteful plan for Purbachal". The Business Standard. Retrieved 24 July 2025.
- ^ Mahmud, Abu Hayat (5 August 2013). "Purbachal town project destroying environment". Dhaka Tribune. Retrieved 24 July 2025.
- ^ "Forests being cleared for Purbachal plots". Prothom Alo English. 11 July 2017. Retrieved 24 July 2025.
- ^ Pieal, Jannatul Naym (10 July 2025). "A forest saved: Inside the restoration of Purbachal's last Sal grove". The Business Standard. Retrieved 24 July 2025.
- ^ "Dhaka University 2nd Campus: Opening of a New Horizon". Daily Sun. 24 June 2018. Retrieved 7 March 2024.