Special Correspondent
A city free from chaos, crime, drugs, and terrorism — Bashundhara Residential Area has long been regarded as one of Dhaka’s safest and most prestigious neighborhoods. With its aesthetic urban design, disciplined management, and modern infrastructure, the area has become a symbol of peaceful and organized city living in the capital.
Residents now fear that this carefully planned residential enclave could lose its unique character amid discussions of bringing it fully under the control of the Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC).For decades, Bashundhara Welfare Society has played a central role in maintaining the area’s security, cleanliness, and overall livability. Citizens believe that the disciplined management system established by the society is the key reason Bashundhara stands apart from many other parts of Dhaka.
Compared to neighboring areas such as Badda, Vatara, Khilkhet, Kalachandpur, Jagannathpur, and Nikunja — where residents regularly face problems like crime, extortion, traffic disorder, and inadequate civic services — Bashundhara has maintained a comparatively secure and orderly environment.Residents argue that many areas under the two city corporations still suffer from poor drainage systems, broken footpaths, insufficient street lighting, waterlogging, and rising criminal activities despite collecting service charges from citizens regularly. Against this backdrop, many locals are questioning whether DNCC has the administrative capacity to preserve Bashundhara’s current standards.
Urban planners say Bashundhara’s development model is unique in Dhaka’s largely unplanned urban landscape. Since its establishment in 1987 under the initiative of Bashundhara Group Chairman Ahmed Akbar Sobhan, the residential area has evolved into one of the capital’s most modern and well-managed communities.One of Bashundhara’s major strengths is its strict enforcement of construction regulations and RAJUK guidelines. Unlike many crowded neighborhoods in Dhaka where buildings stand too close to each other, Bashundhara requires open space around structures to ensure proper light and ventilation. Experts believe this contributes significantly to environmental balance and healthy urban living.
The area also stands out for its organized infrastructure. Wide roads, concrete block paving, effective drainage systems, designated parking facilities, and clean footpaths have reduced common urban problems such as waterlogging and traffic congestion.Residents enjoy comparatively reliable utility services, including electricity, water, gas, internet connectivity, and waste management. Security arrangements are another key feature, with thousands of security personnel, controlled entry points, regular patrols, CCTV surveillance, and coordination with law enforcement agencies helping ensure public safety.
Social discipline is also visible throughout the neighborhood. Illegal structures, roadside stalls, floating settlements, and uncontrolled commercial activities are almost nonexistent. Community parks, playgrounds, mosques, educational institutions, hospitals, shopping malls, restaurants, and sports facilities have further enhanced the quality of life in the area.Many residents recall that even during the political unrest of 2024, the community remained comparatively stable due to strong coordination and cooperation among inhabitants.
Locals say they do not merely purchase apartments or plots in Bashundhara; they invest in security, discipline, and a dignified lifestyle. For this reason, despite comparatively higher property prices, many people still aspire to live there.Residents fear that if Bashundhara comes fully under DNCC control without preserving its existing management structure, the area may gradually face the same disorder, insecurity, and unplanned expansion seen in many other parts of Dhaka.
According to them, preserving Bashundhara’s environmental balance, planned urban character, security system, and aesthetic beauty is not only the responsibility of the authorities or the welfare society, but also a collective duty of every resident who values the area’s unique identity and reputation.
