Bangladesh is contemplating a historic shift – moving its capital city Dhaka to a new site. This is motivated by the necessity to ease the immense strain on Dhaka, as it has been experiencing fast urbanization and increasing population. The infrastructure of the city is finding it difficult to cope, resulting in congestion and traffic jams, pollution, and the lack of housing.
The new capital is most likely to be Gonokpara, a tiny village situated close to the town of Tangail, 100 kilometers northwest of Dhaka. The reason for choosing this place is that it is strategically located, making it easier to connect with other regions of the country.
The proposal to shift the capital remains in its nascent stage and is undergoing different feasibility studies to determine the viability of the relocation. Still, in case it materializes, it would be a landmark event for Bangladesh, with the capacity to change the economic, social, and ecological profile of the nation.
It should be remembered that the relocation of a capital city is a complicated and ambitious project, involving meticulous planning, organization, and resources. Bangladesh would have to make sure that the new capital has all the provisions needed to support the requirements of being a capital city, such as meeting the infrastructural, housing, and service needs of its people.