To save Dhaka, we need stronger city corporations, citizen participation, and long-term master plan: Gulshan Society president

Dhaka is now one of the world's major megacities. According to the United Nations, it is currently the world's second-largest city, and at the current rate of population growth, Dhaka will overtake Indonesia's capital Jakarta and become the world's most populous city by 2050.

Yet the city that controls nearly 40% of Bangladesh's economy struggles with poor coordination, poor cleanliness, and unplanned development. Over the past decade, the city has deteriorated systematically.

Against this critical backdrop, Barrister Omar Sadat, president of Gulshan Society and an urban rights activist, spoke exclusively to The Business Standard's Mahadi Hasan about Dhaka's current condition, problems faced by city residents and ways to overcome them.

In the interview, he highlighted various issues, including Dhaka's traffic mismanagement, pollution of lakes and water bodies, air pollution, and negligence by Rajuk and the city corporations.

Air pollution and environmental protection

As Dhaka's air quality is among the worst in the world, the risk of lung cancer is increasing. To address the situation, Omar Sadat stressed the importance of rooftop gardens and the use of electric vehicles (EVs).

He proposed that the announced 10% holding tax rebate for those who maintain rooftop gardens should be implemented.

At the same time, to improve air quality, he called for higher taxes on petrol-powered vehicles, lower taxes on EVs and the establishment of adequate charging points.

Preventing noise pollution

Referring to Gulshan Society's success in reducing noise pollution, he said Gulshan has now been declared a "silent zone".

Through driver training and fines, the use of horns has been reduced significantly, he said.

Omar Sadat said, "We talk a lot about Dhaka's problems, but we very rarely look at the problems from an integrated perspective. Dhaka's crisis is actually a crisis of management.

"On the one hand, there is traffic congestion; on the other, poor waste management, along with waterlogging, mosquito problems and security issues – everything is deeply connected.

"If one part of urban management fails, it will affect another part. For example, if lakes are not properly maintained, water will remain stagnant there, which will lead to the spread of mosquitoes and, in turn, become a public health crisis.

"In other words, Dhaka's problems cannot be solved by looking at them separately. It is a systemic problem that requires a systemic solution."

Dhaka, the city of beauty, is being ruined by neglect

Expressing his frustration, Omar Sadat said, "We only use Dhaka to earn money, but we are indifferent when it comes to taking care of it. Dhaka has now become a city of mosquitoes. In a civilised country, it is unacceptable that hundreds of people die every year because of mosquitoes."

He further said that Dhaka's lakes and rivers have now turned into toxic dumping grounds.

Around 80% of sewage from affluent areas such as Gulshan, Banani and Baridhara goes directly into lakes because there is no effective sewerage system, he said.

He believes that such a primitive system in areas where land is more expensive than in Manhattan is contrary to the standards of a civilised society.

He cited the government's lack of planning as an example, saying that the Dasherkandi Sewage Treatment Plant was built at a cost of thousands of crores of taka, but no sewerage line was constructed to carry waste from Gulshan to the plant.

As a result, he said, the huge investment is effectively sitting idle.

He also said that many footbridges do not have adequate lighting, turning them into safe shelters for muggers and drug users at night.

Women pedestrians, in particular, are afraid to use some footbridges alone because of security concerns.

Many bridges have also been built in places where pedestrian movement is low, while bridges are absent where they are actually needed.

Besides, the steps of many footbridges are too high, making them extremely difficult to use for elderly people, sick people and pregnant women.

Therefore, he said, planned development and proper maintenance of such infrastructure are necessary.

Traffic and parking: A planned crisis

Speaking about Dhaka's traffic congestion, Omar Sadat said, "It is unimaginable that a megacity does not have traffic lights.

"We are currently working with the police and the ministry so that traffic lights can be installed at 50 important intersections in Dhaka within the next three months."

He warned that Dhaka would soon become completely dysfunctional if traffic could not be managed properly.

The senior lawyer of the Supreme Court identified uncontrolled parking on footpaths and roads as one of the major causes of traffic congestion.

He said that although parking spaces are included in Rajuk-approved building plans, many multi-storey buildings rent out those spaces as shops or offices.

As a result, vehicles are parked on roads, causing traffic congestion.

Gulshan Society has currently adopted a zero-tolerance policy against such illegal establishments with the support of Rajuk, he said.

Gulshan model: A unique example of citizen initiative

Omar Sadat believes that Gulshan Society has developed several models through its own initiatives instead of simply depending on the government, and these can be expanded across Dhaka.

He said around 1,200 CCTV cameras have been installed in Gulshan, Banani and Baridhara.

The cameras are operated entirely through Gulshan Society and a public-private partnership.

As a result, street crime and mugging in these areas have now fallen to almost zero, he said.

They are discussing with the DMP commissioner how to expand this model to other parts of Dhaka, including Mirpur.

The society also has its own 100 cleaners to keep Gulshan's roads clean.

Residents pay a fixed amount to ensure cleanliness on their roads, he said.

He said that during the unstable period after 5 August 2024, when police were absent, Gulshan Society's community police and residents stayed awake at night to ensure security.

Institutional reform: Rajuk and city corporations

Omar Sadat strongly criticised Rajuk's current role, saying, "Instead of being a regulatory body, Rajuk has become involved in the business of selling land. Its job is to monitor building construction and designs, not to do business."

He also said city corporations are being used as "ATMs" in many cases, pointing out that although there is a budget of Tk140 crore to kill mosquitoes, mosquitoes are still not dying.

City corporations should become public service institutions rather than business organisations, he said.

Barrister Omar Sadat, an urban rights activist, called for an integrated long-term master plan for Dhaka.

According to him, a master plan should be prepared in one-year, three-year, five-year, and 25-year phases.

He further said, "The government cannot do everything alone. Public participation is essential to save Dhaka. If people are not aware, it is not possible to change the city simply through laws."

He expressed hope that Dhaka can once again be made a liveable city by placing qualified people in the right positions and working above corruption.