Government to Present Final Proposal for New Secretariat in Sher-e-Bangla Nagar

The government has already taken a policy decision to relocate the Bangladesh Secretariat from Abdul Gani Road in central Dhaka to the former trade fair grounds in Sher-e-Bangla Nagar. A final proposal on the relocation is expected to be placed before the Cabinet on Sunday.

Of the government’s 55 ministries and divisions, 38 currently operate from the existing Secretariat complex, occupying approximately 1.8 million square feet of space. The proposed new complex would cover around 3 million square feet, potentially accommodating all ministries and divisions under one administrative campus.

At least two officials involved in the project told The Daily Star that Prime Minister Tarique Rahman wants the offices relocated to the new Secretariat during his current term.

The Cabinet’s weekly meeting is scheduled for 4:30 pm on Sunday at the Secretariat, chaired by the prime minister. According to sources at the Ministry of Housing and Public Works and the Cabinet Division, the final relocation proposal is expected to be presented at the meeting.

Previous Awami League administrations had considered relocating the Secretariat several times, but those plans were never implemented. Instead, two 20-storey buildings were constructed within the existing complex.

After the BNP government took office, a proposal to build another 21-storey building inside the current Secretariat was submitted to the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) in April. The prime minister did not approve it and instead instructed the Ministry of Housing and Public Works and the Department of Architecture to prepare a plan for a new Secretariat in Sher-e-Bangla Nagar.

On October 7, the Department of Architecture presented a preliminary relocation plan at the Prime Minister’s Office. It was decided at that meeting that a detailed and final proposal would be submitted to the Cabinet.

A senior official at the Ministry of Housing and Public Works told The Daily Star that the existing Secretariat has 12 main buildings, eight of which are in poor condition. Most were built in the 1960s. The prospect of demolishing and replacing the ageing structures has strengthened the case for relocation.

What the proposed Secretariat would include
The preliminary design proposes 12 buildings, each 12 to 14 storeys high, while preserving the architectural heritage associated with renowned architect Louis I. Kahn. The estimated project cost is between Tk 3,500 crore and Tk 4,000 crore.

The proposed complex would include a circular road around the site, a central mosque, a gymnasium, decorative fountains, extensive parking facilities and a central convention centre.

The plan also envisages a more modern working environment. Instead of providing a separate room for every official, the new complex would largely feature open-plan office floors divided by glass or board partitions. Dedicated rooms may be reserved for officials in the top two tiers. According to an official involved in the planning, this arrangement would allow more staff to work comfortably in a smaller area.

On Tuesday, Housing and Public Works Minister Zakaria Taher told journalists that the existing Secretariat lacked sufficient office space and faced severe parking shortages. He said discussions on relocation were progressing in light of these constraints, although the final decision would rest with the Cabinet.

University community opposes relocation plan
Teachers, students and employees of Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University have protested against the proposed relocation, raising concerns about the use of the former trade fair grounds.

Last Thursday, they held a press conference and human chain at the National Press Club before submitting a memorandum to the prime minister.

Professor M. Salauddin Chowdhury, convener of the university’s Research Field Restoration Steering Committee, said the university wanted to preserve the site’s greenery, trees and biodiversity so that advanced agricultural research could continue there. He argued that protecting the grounds was important not only for the university but also for safeguarding Dhaka’s environmental health.

Responding to the objections, State Minister for Housing and Public Works Ahmad Sohel Manzoor told The Daily Star on Saturday night that the government was aware of the concerns raised by university staff and students. He said the government was considering allocating a larger or more suitable alternative site for them.