Photo : Messenger
The unplanned urbanization of Cumilla, an ancient city in Bangladesh, is causing concerns about its livability. The lack of a master plan for Cumilla City Corporation is hindering its planned urban development, causing concern among domestic and foreign organizations. Despite being granted city status in 2011 and receiving substantial allocations and approval for mega projects, the city is still struggling to address citizen issues, which is worsening the challenges faced by disadvantaged citizens.
Investigations reveal a stark contrast between the planned vision of Cumilla and its current reality. While the city witnesses a relentless rise in commercial and residential buildings, educational institutions, private hospitals, vehicles, and population, critical infrastructure such as urban roads and drainage systems remain inadequate.
The absence of a sewage system, insufficient dustbins for waste disposal, and persistent issues like traffic jams further deteriorate the city's living conditions. Even minor rainfall leads to waterlogging due to obstacles such as electricity poles and building pillars in various drains. The construction of unplanned buildings continues despite widespread criticism, intensifying concerns that Cumilla may become uninhabitable within the next decade.
These apprehensions were articulated during a recent workshop organized by Democracy International in collaboration with USAID, as part of the Stressing Political Landscape project. Speakers at the Effective Advocacy Workshop on Addressing Public Concerns emphasized the urgency of addressing these issues.
The workshop brought together leaders from various political parties, including Awami League, BNP, and Jatiya Party, as well as youth representatives. Participants discussed strategies for preventing drug abuse and promoting sustainable development alongside the pressing urbanization challenges.
President of Multiparty Advocacy Forum Cumilla, Badrul Huda Jenu, Councilor Zamir Uddin Khan Jumpy of Cumilla City Corporation, and Nikhil Chandra Roy, Vice President of the Conscious Citizen Committee Cumilla, were among the prominent figures who voiced their concerns at the event.
Democracy International, which has been operating in Bangladesh since 2011 and in Cumilla since 2018, advocates for fair democracy and the resolution of local issues. The organization emphasizes the need for rapid and planned urban management to prevent unplanned cities from lagging behind the mainstream. The collective hope of all citizens is for Cumilla, this historic city, to undergo a transformation into a prosperous and well-planned urban center.
Abu Sayem, Executive Engineer of Cumilla City Corporation, acknowledged the challenges and stated, "We are standing on one foot for planned urbanization." However, due to various obstacles, implementation remains elusive. A master plan has been prepared and submitted to the Ministry of Local Government, awaiting approval. Effective action is contingent upon the Ministry's support for realizing the vision of planned urbanization in Cumilla.
Messenger/Khair/Disha
