Study on the impact of the 2nd Buriganga bridge on the physical and socio - economic condition of Keranigang upazila

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,