Study of the Dhaka by-pass road: its impact on landuse and local economy

Abstract

Joydebpur-Debogram-Bhulta-Nayapur Bazar-Madanpur Road, known as the Dhaka By-Pass Road (N-105), is an important thoroughfare in the context of a national artery of Bangladesh. Everyday around 6250 heavy vehicles with goods and passengers use this road from the northern and western part of the country and carry them to the eastern and southern part of Bangladesh without entering the city of Dhaka. Dhaka has been considered as one of the fast growing cities amongst the developing countries. There has been tremendous growth of traffic but the number and capacity of the roads have not been increased compared to the rate of traffic growth. Moreover, the direct traffics through Jamuna Bridge causes further congestions in the capital city. But this project needs considerable time to line up the financing and its implementation and for emergency need GoB has already decided to construct a By-Pass Road for Dhaka by its own finance on emergency basis. This By-Pass Road has enhanced the growth of the local economy in its adjacent areas. It also brought changes in settlements and agricultural landuse. Lands are being used for diverse purposes besides the By-Pass Road. Fallow lands are being turned to industrial use in the adjacent fringe areas, agricultural lands for housing purposes, water bodies are becoming land locked and polluted. Lack of administrative monitoring and unplanned construction has made growth in the study area chaotic. In this context, this research intends to study how the landuse are changing besides the Dhaka By-Pass Road and also investigate the changes in economic activities beside this road; and, the need is spurred by the lack of such studies in Bangladesh.