Purbachal New Town Project (Bengali: পূর্বাচল নতুন শহর প্রকল্প) or formerly Purbachal Residential Model Town is the biggest planned township in Bangladesh. The project area consists of about 6,213 acres (25.14 km2) land located in between the Shitalakshya and the Balu rivers at Rupganj thana of Narayanganj district and at Kaliganj thana of Gazipur district, in the northeastern side of Dhaka. The township is linked with a fourteen-lane expressway from the Airport Road-Progati Sarani intersection in Dhaka. The plan includes the provision of approximately 26,000 residential plots of various sizes and 62,000 apartments, complete with essential infrastructure and urban amenities.[1]
In 2022, a central business district was announced to be constructed at Purbachal. Covering an area of 114 acres, its key attraction is the Bangabandhu Tri-Tower, a collection of three skyscrapers called Language Tower, Liberation Tower, and Legacy Tower, which will offer upscale real estate tailored to the requirements of multinational corporations. The area is set to offer a comprehensive array of world-class amenities, including a sophisticated business center, commercial spaces, retail outlets, luxurious apartments, convention facilities, a hospital, an international school, and various other essential community services.[2]
By 2027 Japanese construction giant Kajima Corporation, along with their Bangladeshi partner Sikder Group, has announced the completion of the 111-storied skyscraper Legacy Tower in sector 19.[3]
The project, initiated in 1995, has experienced several extensions and is currently slated for completion by December 2024.[4]
Background
Dhaka has transformed into one of the busiest and most densely populated cities, leading to a significant shortage of adequate housing for its inhabitants. Consequently, residential areas within Dhaka have become increasingly overcrowded and unsanitary, contributing to an unhealthy living environment. To alleviate the population pressure on Dhaka, it was imperative to develop the surrounding areas in a systematic manner and create additional high-quality permanent residential accommodations for the vast population.[1]
Consultants: The complete detailed area plan was divided into five groups and a number of small locations. These were awarded to five firms—Development Design Consultants, Engineering and Planning Consultants, GBL Group, Sheltech, and BETS Consulting Services.[5]
Land use
Within this urban area, 33 percent of the land is designated for residential buildings. Furthermore, 26 percent is allocated for roads and sidewalks, while 9 percent is devoted to essential infrastructure encompassing health, education, social, and utility services. Canals and lakes cover 8 percent of the area, with 7 percent dedicated to administrative and commercial functions. Additionally, 6 percent of the land is set aside for forests, eco-parks, and green spaces. Residential housing blocks occupy 6 percent, while 5 percent of the land is preserved for recreational purposes within this city.[6]
Progress
Dhaka International Trade Fair held in Purbachal.
Site development works of sector 1–5, 11 to 14 & 17 have nearly been completed. For other sectors the site development works are progressing smoothly. Estimate for site development at Gazipur part has been completed and tendering for execution is under process. Road construction works in sector no 1 to 5, 11, 13, 14 & 17 have nearly been completed. For other sectors the road construction works are ongoing. At 1st phase 7 no.s of bridge construction work are ongoing. At 2nd phase 4 no.s of bridge construction work are ongoing. Rest of the bridges are in the process of tendering. Necessary actions are being taken for establishing of utility services viz electricity, gas, water supply, sewerage and telecommunication etc. through the connection authority. The handing over of plots in the sectors 4, 5 and 17 has started in March 2011. Handing over of plot in the sectors 3, 11, 12,13 and 14 is expected to be started quickly.
A cross-roads at Purbachal New Town Sector-13 (2019)
It may take five more years to hand over plots to 25,000 owners, who have fallen in uncertainty. The stipulated time to complete the project was 2008. But it may take more time as only 25 per cent work had so far been completed.
According to the project map, there will be 10 bridges, but no tender to this effect was floated. Only 15 kilometer roads inside the project have been completed out of 140 kilometers in the sectors 1, 4, 5, 11, and 17. The handing over of plots in the sectors 4, 5 and 17 has been started.
No necessary steps have been taken for establishing utility services like electricity, gas, water supply, sewerage and telecommunications.[7]
