By Halim Mohammad (Dhaka Bureau)
The Bangladesh Secretariat, the nerve center of the country’s administration, is set to relocate from its chronically overcrowded and congested location to the relatively eco-friendly, green environment of Sher-e-Bangla Nagar in the capital. Following the original master plan of the world-renowned architect Louis I. Kahn, the government has undertaken a mega, long-term plan to relocate the entire civil administration hub.
The historic relocation decision was finalized during a recent meeting of the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC), where a proposal to construct a new high-rise building within the current Secretariat premises was scrapped. Chaired by the Prime Minister and ECNEC Chairperson Tarique Rahman, the meeting directed authorities to scrutinize the relevant documents and assess the feasibility of the relocation.
Scraping of the 21-Story New Building Project
To cope with the growing administrative pressure and severe space shortage at the current Secretariat on Abdul Gani Road, a project had been planned to construct a modern 21-story building with a four-story basement at an estimated cost of BDT 649 crore. Slated for completion by June 2029 under the Public Works Department (PWD), the proposed project included 20 state-of-the-art conference rooms, 6 passenger lifts, 6 fire lifts, and advanced fire safety systems.
However, the top tier of the government observed that constructing consecutive high-rise buildings in an already congested and restricted space is not a sustainable, long-term solution. Consequently, keeping administrative dynamism and environmental factors in mind, the ECNEC meeting turned down the project and prioritized the complete relocation of the Secretariat.
Drivers of the Transition
According to the Ministry of Planning, the scope of civic services and developmental activities has expanded extensively. As a result, a massive number of public representatives, foreign delegates, development partners, and general citizens visit the Secretariat daily, alongside government officials and employees.
Highlighting the strategic aspects of the decision, Secretary of the Planning Division, Shakil Akhter, stated: “If we plan for the next 50 years, piling up high-rise buildings at the current site to accommodate officials is not a sustainable solution. Every morning, the entire Secretariat area becomes completely paralyzed due to the influx of vehicles carrying officials from all directions. Controlling this severe public and traffic congestion has become nearly impossible.”
Louis Kahn’s Master Plan and Technical Challenges
Prime Minister Tarique Rahman emphasized reviewing the original master plan of world-renowned architect Louis I. Kahn. He instructed the Public Works Department (PWD) to conduct a feasibility study for relocating the Secretariat to the former venue of the International Trade Fair in Sher-e-Bangla Nagar.
According to preliminary estimates, the government-owned land in Sher-e-Bangla Nagar can accommodate 10 to 12 multi-story buildings. Member and Senior Secretary of the Planning Commission, M A Akmal Hossain Azad, believes that once implemented, the project will significantly improve the working environment of the Secretariat, making public service delivery more accessible, faster, and dynamic.
However, the relocation comes with its own set of technical and environmental challenges:
* Existing Infrastructure Pressure: The Sher-e-Bangla Nagar and Agargaon areas already house several vital government establishments, including the National Parliament (Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban). At least 300 Members of Parliament and thousands of citizens commute to the area daily.
* Apprehension of Traffic Gridlock: Deep assessments are underway to determine how the traffic system of the area will be impacted if the entire Secretariat, with its massive workforce, shifts there.
* Feasibility Evaluation: The PWD has been tasked with preparing a detailed report to accurately calculate the projected increase in public gathering and vehicular pressure once the 10-12 new buildings are constructed.
Bangladesh on the Path to a Sustainable Future
Shifting focus away from temporary solutions like constructing new buildings within the old premises, the Planning Commission is now fully concentrating on this visionary master plan of relocation. Verification of technical and strategic aspects is progressing rapidly. The government will announce the final blueprint for implementation as soon as the PWD submits its final assessment report, marking the beginning of a modern chapter in Bangladesh’s administrative history.
##########
The Writer:
Halim Mohammad: Senior Journalist and Contributor, Pressenza- Dhaka Bureau.
