Ensuring Equal Rights and Dignity for Every Citizen Is Our Goal: PM

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has directed the Housing and Public Works Ministry to conduct a quick feasibility study on relocating the Bangladesh Secretariat from Segunbagicha to Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, at the site of the former International Trade Fair grounds.

The move is aimed at reducing severe traffic congestion around the Secretariat, addressing the shortage of office space and improving the efficiency of government administration. The plan to relocate the national Secretariat to Sher-e-Bangla Nagar was part of architect Louis I Kahn’s original master plan.

Under the proposed plan, the Dhaka District Deputy Commissioner’s Office and several government directorates could also be accommodated at the Secretariat complex. The current government has taken steps to revive the long-discussed relocation plan.

The directive was issued at a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on the progress of development projects under the Housing and Public Works Ministry. The meeting was held at the Bangladesh Secretariat on Wednesday.

Housing and Public Works Minister Zakaria Taher, State Minister Ahmed Sohel Manzur, Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister A B M Abdus Sattar, Housing and Public Works Secretary Md Obaidur Rahman and other relevant officials attended the meeting, according to sources at the Prime Minister’s Office.

The government is considering the relocation because of severe traffic congestion around the existing Secretariat, limited office space and the need to improve administrative efficiency. The Sher-e-Bangla Nagar relocation plan was included in Louis I Kahn’s original master plan.

The idea has been discussed several times in the past but failed to progress for various reasons. In 2004, then Prime Minister Khaleda Zia also gave fresh instructions to consider relocating the Secretariat to Sher-e-Bangla Nagar. The project was later discussed during the Awami League government but did not move forward. Instead, a plan was developed to construct a 25-storey building at the existing Secretariat site.

There had also been proposals to expand the Bangladesh Secretariat by incorporating the General Post Office building. Those proposals faced discussions and opposition at different times. The government is now examining the options through feasibility studies.

The existing Secretariat has around 1 million square feet of office space, but it faces a shortage of about 680,000 square feet due to growing demand. The old buildings also face earthquake risks, while heavy traffic in the surrounding area has affected administrative activities.

The government believes that constructing more high-rise buildings at the existing site cannot provide a long-term solution to the growing demand for office space. At a meeting of the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council, the government also discussed the relocation plan. The Planning Ministry said Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology has been asked to assist with the feasibility study, which is expected to be completed within four weeks.

A proposal to demolish the old Cabinet building and construct a 21-storey tower at a cost of Tk 649 crore was placed at the meeting but was not approved. Officials expressed concern that the project could further increase traffic congestion in the area.

As an alternative, the meeting discussed relocating the Secretariat to the former International Trade Fair grounds in Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, near the National Parliament complex. Officials said the relocation would make travel easier for ministers and allow the existing Secretariat area to be used for the Dhaka district administration and courts currently located in Old Dhaka. This could reduce traffic congestion and improve court services.

The meeting directed that a comparative study be conducted before reconsidering the proposal for constructing a high-rise building at the existing Secretariat site. The Prime Minister also directed the formation of a committee led by the Cabinet Secretary to examine why three projects have each required their fifth extension.

The Public Works Department is now assessing the feasibility of relocating the Secretariat to the former International Trade Fair grounds in Sher-e-Bangla Nagar. The initial concept involves constructing 10 to 12 multi-storey buildings at the site.

The project was placed for approval at the first meeting of the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council under the BNP government on April 6 this year. A total of 17 projects were included on the meeting’s agenda. The proposed building project has an estimated cost of Tk 649 crore and is scheduled for completion by June 2029.

Experts, however, have pointed out that the existing Secretariat already has many buildings and vehicles are forced to park on surrounding roads. They suggested constructing a separate parking facility instead of adding more office buildings.

Earlier, at a meeting with representatives of the Hindu and Buddhist communities at the Prime Minister’s Office in the Secretariat, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman said the government was working for the welfare of every citizen regardless of religion, race, class, profession or community.

“We want to build a Bangladesh where religion, race and identity will not become barriers to people’s rights and opportunities. Ensuring equal rights and dignity for every citizen of the country is our goal,” he said. Representatives of the Hindu community thanked the Prime Minister for increasing the government holiday for the Durga Puja festival. They said the decision had increased the joy of the festival among the country’s Hindu community.

During the meeting, representatives of the Hindu and Buddhist communities presented their various problems, needs and demands to the Prime Minister. Tarique Rahman listened to them and said the government was sincerely working for the welfare of people from all communities.

“We will try our best to do whatever is possible from the government’s side. Your reasonable demands and problems will be considered seriously,” he said. Representatives of the Hindu community invited the Prime Minister to visit several Durga Puja venues. Tarique Rahman extended greetings to members of the Hindu community on the occasion of Durga Puja and to members of the Buddhist community on the occasion of Kathin Chibor Dan. He also wished peace, prosperity and well-being for all citizens.

Representatives of both communities also conveyed their greetings to the Prime Minister on their respective religious occasions. The Prime Minister later handed over a Tk 5 crore grant to the Hindu Religious Welfare Trust for Durga Puja and a Tk 3 crore grant for the Buddhist community’s religious festival.

The Hindu Religious Welfare Trust had requested Tk 4 crore for Durga Puja, but the Prime Minister approved Tk 5 crore as a special consideration. Similarly, the Buddhist Religious Welfare Trust had requested Tk 2 crore for the Kathin Chibor Dan programme, but the Prime Minister approved Tk 3 crore. The government has also declared a five-day holiday from October 20 to 24 for Durga Puja.

The allocated funds will be distributed to the beneficiaries through the Hindu Religious Welfare Trust, Buddhist Religious Welfare Trust and district administrations. Beneficiaries will be able to receive the money directly through their bank accounts. Representatives of the Hindu and Buddhist communities thanked the Prime Minister for increasing the allocations and expressed their gratitude to the government.

Senior officials of the Prime Minister’s Office attended the meeting along with Prime Minister’s Special Assistant Bijon Kanti Sarker, Dhaka District BNP General Secretary and MP Nipun Roy Chowdhury, MP Ms Subarna Thakur Shikder, Hindu Religious Welfare Trust Vice-President Tapan Chandra Majumder, its General Secretary Debendra Nath Oraon, Kalbela Editor Santosh Sharma, BNP Assistant Secretary for Religious Affairs Amalendu Das Apu and BNP National Executive Committee member Sushil Chandra Barua, among others.