Urban Planning Institute Calls for Dismantling Illegal Political Syndicates in Dhaka Infrastructure
Photo Collected
The Institute for Planning and Development (IPD) has issued a stern warning regarding the systemic collapse of urban governance in Dhaka, following a recent murder in the capital’s Kafrul area linked to extortion, sidewalk encroachment, and illicit control over waste management. The organization asserts that the incident is not an isolated crime but a symptomatic manifestation of a deep-rooted nexus between political influence and illegal urban economies.
Despite public aspirations for reform following the July mass uprising, the IPD notes that political identity continues to be exploited as a vehicle for illicit gain rather than public service. According to IPD Executive Director Professor Adil Muhammad Khan, the violence underscores a dangerous reality where local dominance is maintained through a combination of political patronage and predatory economic interests that have thrived for years.
বিজ্ঞাপন
The institute highlighted the waste management sector as a prime example of systemic failure. Although residents pay property taxes that should cover municipal services, they are frequently coerced into paying additional fees for garbage collection. The IPD argues that this opaque arrangement creates lucrative opportunities for extortion rackets. By transitioning to a modernized, centralized, and transparent management system, city corporations could both increase public revenue and dismantle the intermediary criminal syndicates currently profiting from the trade.
Beyond waste management, the IPD report paints a bleak picture of an entrenched “urban mafia” that has seized control of sidewalks, government land, canals, and public parks. These encroachments, bolstered by muscle power and political protection, continue to degrade the city’s environment and hinder urban planning efforts. The absence of elected councilors, coupled with governance by appointed administrators, has further weakened accountability and allowed these illicit factions to consolidate their influence.
বিজ্ঞাপন
To address these chronic governance gaps, the IPD has proposed a seven-point recovery plan. The recommendations include stringent legal action against individuals using political ties for extortion, the full centralization of waste collection services under city corporations, and the immediate reclamation of public lands. The institute maintains that sustainable order cannot be achieved without the restoration of an elected, democratic, and transparent local government system that prioritizes public interest over private profit.
0%
0%
0%
0%
