Abstract:
Keraniganj is located very close to the central part of Dhaka city. But its development
wa~ hindered due to presence of the iver Buriganga as it disconnected Keraniganj from
Dhaka. The opening of first Buliganga Bridge in the 90's was the earliest step to connect
Dhaka with Keraniganj, But It was not sufficient to reduce commuting time and meet the
demand offaster accessibility with Keraniganj,
The 2ndBuriganga Bndge, opened in 2001 created a quick link between Dhaka city and
the Keraniganj After the opening of this bndge, demand fur land and price of land, both
have been increased in Keraniganj. In addition, basic infrastruetural development and
increased economic activities instigated by improved communication network through the
bridge has provided income opportunities for local people of Keraniganj. This resulted in
a mpid change of land use and socio economic strata of Kemmganj specially in the
adjacent areas of the hridge People ITOmold Dhaka and other parts pf the country are
migrating there for increased business opportunities and low cost accommodation
facillt,es, T,and developers and real estate agencies are rushing there to make profit
utilizing the lOcreased demand of plot and flat But the simation is not same for all parts of
Kemniganj, Areas fur from the Bridge are not directly benefited by this changing agent.
Again, the bridge has brought negative consequences lOthe commercial centers located at
the Dhaka end of the Bridge, Tthas reduced income and employment opportllmties of the
@mworkers Most of them have shifted to other professions
The rapid development which is now occurring in Keramgan) is mostly haphazard and
without considering planning or environmental reqUIrements. If the situation continues,
potential areas of Keraniganj like Suvadda, Chunkutiya, Golam Bazar, Aganagar,
Kallganj will tum to densely populated unplanned areas like other parts of Dhaka
The smdy focuses on the existing trend of development of Keraniganj specially after the
opening of the 2'. Buriganga Bridge. The bridge has opened a greater scope for nsing the
full potential of Kern.niganj. The study identified the majOr impacts of the bridge on the
overall socio economic condition of Keraniganj and also some opportunities for guided
development The study fmdings and recommendation may guide the future work for
further development of the area and guide the existing unplanned ones,
