The government is moving ahead with plans to develop a ‘Secondary City’ on the outskirts of Dhaka to decentralise economic activities and ease the mounting population pressure on the capital.
Housing and Public Works Minister Zakaria Taher outlined the plan while replying to a starred question from BNP MP Khairul Kabir Khokon (Narsingdi-1) during the question-and-answer session in the Jatiya Sangsad on Tuesday.
Deputy Speaker Barrister Kayser Kamal presided over the sitting.
The minister said the government has prepared a Development Project Proposal (DPP) to construct residential flats for low-income people on 98 acres of land owned by the National Housing Authority (NHA) at Duttapara in Tongi upazila of Gazipur.
He also said a feasibility study has already been launched for the proposed ‘Secondary City’ on the outskirts of the capital to help address the growing housing demand in Dhaka and its surrounding areas.
According to the minister, the DPP for the Tongi housing project is currently awaiting approval. He added that, in response to demands from public representatives, the NHA has been implementing various housing projects across the country to help reduce housing shortages in cities and towns.
Responding to the Narsingdi-1 lawmaker, the minister said the National Housing Authority has not yet undertaken any housing project in Narsingdi under the Ministry of Housing and Public Works.
However, he said the government may consider launching a new residential project in the district for low- and middle-income families, subject to a request from the local MP, favourable findings from a feasibility study, and the availability of dispute-free land.
