DSCC plans central business district in Kamrangirchar to woo global investors

Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) is planning to develop Kamrangirchar area as an upscale central business district to attract global business tycoons.

Its officials say Bangladesh has failed to attract global business magnets to set up their offices in Motijheel and other business hubs elsewhere in the country.

“We want to offer global as well as domestic businesses the opportunity to set up offices in our newly planned central business district in Kamrangirchar,” DSCC Mayor Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh told reporters at a recent programme in the capital.

He said no area had been developed after Motijheel as a dedicated business hub in Bangladesh.

Motijheel, also known as the bank hub of the country, had also lost its lustre over time, he said.

He further said most of the large cities in the world are situated on the riverbanks, and they have taken advantage of the rivers in terms of beauty and connectivity.

But Dhaka could not do so even though four rivers surround the megacity, he added.

DSCC will build the business district in Kamrangirchar, an island of 1,200 acres to the west of Dhaka surrounded by the Buriganga River, to make it scenic, and also offer comfort to those who will set up businesses there.

“We want to utilise the rivers the most,” Taposh said.

He hoped that the planned and modern business district would be able to attract businessmen from across the country and make Dhaka the centre of a global business hub.

Officials said many businessmen in the country have their corporate offices in Singapore and elsewhere in the world, and DSCC wants to offer them international standard facilities in Kamrangirchar.

A 50-storey trade centre, an international convention centre named after Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, a buffer zone, resorts, hotels, parks, and different types of playgrounds, among other facilities, will be set up on 81 acres of land, the core area of the business district in Kamrangirchar.

The business district will cover DSCC wards 55, 56, and 57.

DSCC Chief Town Planner Md Sirajul Islam said a detailed design and implementation plan was afoot.

He said the business district was not a piecemeal plan but a part of the total DSCC development plan.

For the first time, DSCC is preparing a 30-year master plan under a project titled “Preparation of Integrated Master Plan for Dhaka City”. The preparation of the plan, spanning between 2020 and 2050, started in June this year and will be completed by June 2022.

Among others, architecture firm Shatotto is working on preparing the master plan and the business district plan.

Rafiq Azam, principal architect of Shatotto, said they had outlined the business district plan to develop the area by taking advantage of waterways and other forms of transport.

The area also has good road connectivity, he said.

He explained there would be different types of gardens, sporting facilities, boat clubs, souvenir shops, museums, and exhibition halls there.

“We will build elevated walkways to connect the whole area as underground structures are risky,” he said.

He further said ensuring an iconic view and a comfortable city life would be the priority.

DSCC officials said even seven-star hotels would be invited to set up their branches while there would also be different types of institutes and condominiums.

They said the government owns most of the land in the core area of the business district, but many had already been grabbed by influential locals.

Some land would have to be acquired for the project, they said.

They also said the government, if needed, would acquire public land as per the rules and also draw up rehabilitation as well as compensation plans.

A detailed feasibility study, an environmental impact assessment, a traffic assessment, and a detailed architectural drawing would be done soon after discussions with community members and experts, they added.

They further said the cost of the project would be known after the studies were done.

Officials concerned with the plan said the study on financial involvement to implement the project would be undertaken soon. The modalities, amount, and possible financiers were yet to be determined, they added.

“Fund is not a big issue as the proposed project has immense business potentials. Both the public fund, or the external fund will be available in time,” a senior official said.

The old channel of the Buriganga River will be reclaimed for the project. DSCC has sought Tk 300 crore from the government to develop the channel incorporating naval traffic and beautification.

According to the planners, the area’s population density would be controlled by different means to ensure better living conditions.

DSCC will seek public investment after a detailed financial analysis of the project.