From paddy fields to high-rise buildings: How Uttarkhan is catching up with the rest of the city

Opposite to Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, lies Uttarkhan. While the airport and its adjacent area has seen constant development, Uttarkhan, Dakkhinkhan, Ashkona, and Kawla have remained mere spectators of that development over the decades.

However, today, Uttarkhan is finally undergoing a developmental transition. The place officially became part of the Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) through a gazette issued on 26 July 2017. 

Since then, the area seems to be racing to catch up with the city's rapid urban development. While some parts of the area are seeing the construction of high-rises, other parts remain rural.

On 12 February, we visited the area in person to observe its social, infrastructural and human development landscape. 

We took an auto-rickshaw from the Abdullahpur slope. Passing through Masterpara in Uttarkhan, we arrived at Chanpara Bazaar. There, we were joined by our friend and local guide for the day, Nur Izaz. He is the deputy general manager of a bakery factory in Chanpara.

We were well aware of the dire state of the roads in Dakshinkhan. With that in mind, we had mentally prepared ourselves for the condition of the adjacent area, Uttarkhan. However, the roads here seemed significantly better.  

We met Masuma Rahman, a longtime resident of Chanpara, who has spent decades here and witnessed the rise of every building firsthand. "It was the early years of this century. The four-storey building I live in was one of the very first tall structures in Uttarkhan. Back then, it stood out amid the surroundings," she recalled.

The roads have been built over the past seven years, after the area came under the city corporation’s jurisdiction. Photo: Mehedi Hasan.

"The area was plagued by thieves and robbers. But things have improved now," she added.

Another senior resident, Abdur Rob, has been living here for nearly 50 years. "Back then, there were paddy fields everywhere, and the area looked just like a village. And it wasn't that long ago — there were still paddy fields here until around 2008!" he said.

"I migrated here from Chandpur and settled down. In those days, the price of land was only Tk15,000–20,000 per katha," he continued. "There was nothing around here. We used to go all the way to Tongi for groceries. But now, everything is available within the neighbourhood itself."

Faruk Ahmed Sourav, a local civil engineer, informed us that land prices today range from Tk25 lakh to Tk30 lakh per katha, with prices of prime roadside plots reaching up to even Tk50 lakh per katha.

All across Uttarkhan, we saw high-rise buildings under construction. It was clear that this construction boom was a recent phenomenon. Being close to the airport has increased land demand in the area. Moreover, Faruk believes that the development of the nearby 300-feet area of Purbachal has had a direct impact as well.

Alongside several unions that were reorganised into wards, Uttarkhan was designated as Wards 44, 45, and 46. But even though it was included in the city's governing structure, things have not improved much, due to the allegations of corruption and lack of political will.

Faruk has also witnessed it all firsthand. He recalls the early years of Uttarkhan's transition into a city ward, describing a landscape disfigured by underdeveloped roads and unplanned infrastructure. "The local politicians didn't do much, they were more focused on filling their own pockets than using the budget for actual development," he says bluntly.

His claim is not unfounded. In conversations with other residents, a common theme is seen, i.e, the negligence by elected representatives. 

Photo: Mehedi Hasan.

The last councillor of this area (Chanpara-Ward 46), Md Zaidul Islam Molla, served at a time when infrastructure was in a tough spot. Roads remained neglected and in bad shape, essential facilities were scarce, and urban planning was all but absent. 

While councilors and politicians promised improvements, residents say actual progress was close to none. Then, things changed.

"When the army came, everything was different, the roads you see now were built by them, not by the politicians," Faruk mentioned.

The transformation came about due to the army's need to facilitate the movement of equipment to the Purbachal 300 Feet Road project, a vital route linking Dhaka to its eastern expansion. As part of their operations, the military oversaw the construction of proper roads, dramatically improving accessibility. 

Without their involvement, Faruk believes, they would have been stuck with "those terrible roads for another five or six years — maybe even longer".

However, roads alone do not mean progress. Faruk told us that if we focus on human development rather than infrastructure, the people in this area are still far behind; there are only a few schools here.

The transformation came about due to the army's need to facilitate the movement of equipment to the Purbachal 300 Feet Road project, a vital route linking Dhaka to its eastern expansion. As part of their operations, the military oversaw the construction of proper roads, dramatically improving accessibility.

While developers have recently gathered here with their plans to fill the skyline with buildings and residential projects, basic services remain inconsistent. Drainage issues persist, public transportation is insufficient, and local governance has been accused of inefficiency.

"The roads have been built over the past seven years, after the area came under the city corporation's jurisdiction. Before that, the situation was quite terrible. Now, there aren't many issues, but during the monsoon, waterlogging occurs in several places due to poor drainage systems," said Izaz.

He shared that he set up his factory here because it is the most cost-effective location within Dhaka. Moreover, the roads have improved, and there is gas supply as well.

We took an auto-rickshaw from Chanpara to Termukh Bridge, about six to seven kilometres away from Abdullahpur. The deeper we went, the more it felt like we were in a sub-district rather than a city. As we got closer to the bridge, the surroundings became even more rural.

The newly built Termukh bridge over the Turag River has replaced the old ferry crossing. On one side of the bridge lies Gazipur, while on the other is the 300-feet road. Located at Dhaka's border, this serene place still gives off a rural vibe. 

We spotted tin and even mud houses, gourd trellises, and fields — everything that defines a rural landscape. Visitors to the bridge often purchase fresh vegetables and cow's milk from nearby villages. Many vendors gather at the bridge's entrance to sell vegetables, fish and milk.