What has gone right for Rajshahi?

First Published on 21 Feb 2024 in the Daily Star

Surrounded by the River Padma, Rajshahi is one of the oldest cities in the country with a vibrant history. Once a city of narrow roads and hardly any tall buildings or houses, the city's recent eye-puzzling developmental transformation has been a matter of curiosity to many. Although this transition may seem like an overnight phenomenon, it is the combination of foresight, planning, and perfect execution.

When a city-centric economy develops, many initiatives and developmental facilities are also created due to the cost advantages. Rajshahi has a rich history of being an administrative center dating from the colonial period. As a result, it has been a place for many necessary governments and private offices and has also been a center for many people from its neighboring districts.

Consequently, a middle- and affluent-class population (MAC) is rising in the city, and a significant proportion of them are young. A large portion of the city population uses e-commerce services to make purchases. A significant portion of them order food online or just go out to restaurants or food chains. They use different MFS (Mobile Financial Services), debit or credit cards to pay their bills.

The increasing consumer demand being derived from the growing numbers of MAC populations is an important factor behind the rise of numerous business opportunities in the city. New restaurants are being opened, and outlets of several national services are being set up in the city. Many jobs are being generated. Many students are getting part-time jobs in these businesses, and many of them are setting up businesses, realizing the potential. Gone are the days when employment in Rajshahi was limited; the city today abounds with prospects.

The city's huge investments in infrastructure, well-coordinated planning, and immaculate maintenance complement the city's Social Overhead Capital (SOC). This improvement in SOC is attracting a lot of new investments from different investors. Rajshahi is experiencing an upsurge in the real estate sector. Newly built high-rise commercial buildings are just some of the examples of the city's vibrant real estate sector.

Substantial allocations and efforts have been given to widen and improve the internal roads of the city. Inter-district connectivity in all modes of transport has improved. Due to uninterrupted rail connectivity with nearby districts, people working in other districts can settle in Rajshahi city and travel to their workplaces regularly. Again, the connectivity with Dhaka has helped the local businesses in transporting the goods. During the mango season, the 'Mango Special' train has helped mango growers and businesspeople operate their businesses uninterruptedly. However, the foresight and willpower shown by the current mayor to implement this allocation in a proper and planned manner is commendable. The city's well-coordinated and maintained waste management system contributes to its cleanliness and beautification. Also, the city's high educational advantage has translated into an increased awareness of civic responsibility, sanitation, and environmental protection among the city's population. This has resulted in the active participation of citizens in numerous cleanliness activities, ultimately playing a part in making the city one of the cleanest ones in the country.

Nevertheless, just as every light has a dark counterpart, advancements can occasionally come at a high cost to certain groups or individuals. Many families suffered greatly psychologically when they were uprooted from their homes as development refugees as a result of infrastructure growth and development. Many families experience a severe financial shock as a result of having to demolish their homes and small businesses. Excessive and costly street lighting is occasionally criticized. We are wasting energy lighting Rajshahi's dark sky when a large number of people remain without power. Environmentalists have also criticized the overexposure of sky-bound cluster lights, claiming that these lights prevent birds and other insects from sleeping at night in trees by the side of the road. Sadly, the zoo has almost completely changed into a recreational park though it was once a representation of Rajshahi city's pride and nobility. Children no longer have the opportunity to interact with nature and learn about various animals and birds. Like zoo Vodra Park in the Padma Residential area is also going to be converted into Jangals made of concrete, which does not seem like an environmentally friendly development for the city.  

Besides, many commercial buildings are being constructed by occupying ponds, canals, and vacant land. Sewage systems can be affected due to these indiscriminate activities. The recent water logging in September last year points out the failings of the city's sewage system. Regulatory authorities like the Rajshahi Development Authority (RDA) or the Rajshahi City Corporation (RCC) need to play a more active role in this aspect. Again, different ongoing development projects are taking longer to get done than needed. These are not only wasteful of resources but also cause disadvantages to the people.

This article was co-authored by Md Mustaqim Roshid and Farid Khan,  who are graduate student and Professor respectively of Rajshahi University, respectively.