I believe Dhaka needs a project thread of its own! It is a booming city with many highrises coming up.

Here is Lake City Concord

http://img31.echo.cx/img31/543/lakecitydhk0fe.jpg

The project will have fourteen 16 storey towers.

More details of this project can be found at

http://www.concordgroup.net/html/lake_city.php

I believe Dhaka needs a project thread of its own! It is a booming city with many highrises coming up.

Here is Lake City Concord

http://img31.echo.cx/img31/543/lakecitydhk0fe.jpg

The project will have fourteen 16 storey towers.

More details of this project can be found at

http://www.concordgroup.net/html/lake_city.php


i agree!

http://www.concordgroup.net/img/pic/photo03.jpg
Lake Front Concord, Gulshan, Dhaka

I really like this project

InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) is currently constructing 3 star Holiday Inn Dhaka and 5 star InterContinental Dhaka respectively. Currently under construction, Holiday Inn Dhaka is scheduled to be launched early 2006 and InterContinental Dhaka will be opened mid 2006. Both properties are new build and are located in the geographic heart of the city. Holiday Inn will have a majestic shopping arcade with it.

http://www.ipcobd.com/images/main_building.jpg http://www.ipcobd.com/images/full_view.jpg

The Airport Hotel Shopping Arcade promises one of the most rewarding customer environments currently unavailable in Dhaka. The Arcade is poised to host both local and international brands intertwined with various other retail outlets. All essential features of present-day aesthetic and architectural modes in vogue today are incorporated in the Arcade design, with a physical structure designed to provide maximum ease and comfort. The architectural concept has been executed so luxuriantly yet efficiently that it incorporates only 39 percent of total space for shops. The remaining floor space is shared among safety facilities, rest rooms and in creating visual and cultural impacts, in ideal proportions at each of the 7 floors. This is the only shopping mall in Dhaka that offers an adequate number of fire-stairs, sprinklers, and fire-fighting facilities, conforming to international standards. In addition, the Arcade boasts loading docks for retailers to facilitate transportation of goods along with separate lifts to carry goods. Each shop is located in such a manner that all shops are equally visible from every major circulation node of the mall.

Aesthetic implication of the design

The highly functional design of the Arcade is a fusion of contemporary aesthetic diction and the traditional cultural ambience of our country; Abohoman Bangla. The overall design provides for the best ease-of-use systems possible in a consumer-friendly environment. The entire complex, including the 5-Star and 3-Star hotels and the access to and from the airport hotel, is extremely well-designed, providing an entirely new and versatile international environment to the Arcade. The surrounding landscaping and easy access to the 1200 car parking space ensures maximum comfort and easy movement of traffic with a separate link-road off the highway. Overall, a modern architectural design blends national and international elements and incorporates national motifs in a world class structure.

Special features

-Open air entrance car park and a separate 1200-car covered car park.
-Internal short term ground-floor parking for 150 cars.
-Wide internal roads for easy vehicular movement.
-Separate drop-off and pick-up facilities for cinema and entertainment floor with direct access to ground floor car park.
-Integral part of Holiday Inn Dhaka.
-Adjacent to 5-star Intercontinental Dhaka (on the same premises).
-Conveniently located drop-off and pick-up points.
-Spacious lobby at the entrance with integrated support service and information centre.
-Space for shops and space for utilities, leisure and circulation proportionately distributed according to the best international standards.
-A centrally located separate area on each floor for display of products and sales promotions.
-Seating areas for shoppers on each floor at convenient locations.
-A versatile shopping ambience with 9 lift including 3 capsule lifts, 4 pairs of escalators,
-8 fire stairs and 3 extra large service lifts for goods.
-Separate lifts for shoppers and transportation of goods.
-Toilets for ladies and gents at two separate locations on each floor.
-Food courts and restaurants on the entertainment floor.
-Coffee shops and fast food outlets on all floors.
I-ntegrated, well coordinated management system for car parking, information, lost and found, safety and security services.
-Located at the gateway to the country with the international airport in the ambience of an international hotel.
-Advanced security and safety systems, including auto-activating fire sprinklers.
-Fire stairway within 75 meters from any point on each floor.
-Wide reception area with information centre.
-Uniform and integrated internal signage and decor to ensure the highest standards of look and functionality.
-Close circuit surveillance managed by trained surveillance crew.
-Arrangements for prayers at convenient locations.
-Central air-conditioning with uninterrupted power supply arrangements.
-Uninterrupted power supply for air-conditioning and lighting.

Location

The site of the shopping arcade is adjacent to the Zia International Airport on the Dhaka-Tongi highway, which connects the entire northern area of the country with the capital. The location is, at the moment, at the geographical center of the city which is invariably expanding towards the north-east beyond Tongi. The complex is well projected into the near future providing an international ambience with world class facilities at affordable prices.

The Shopping Arcade sits neatly on an area of more than 6 acres as an integral part of the 3-Star Holiday Inn Hotel, extending towards the east and merging into another 8.32 acres of the 5-Star Intercontinental. With the Mohakhali and Kamalapur-Shajahanpur flyover as well as Savar-Ashulia connecting road, the location will provide even better accessibility to customers from beyond Uttara-Baridhara-Gulshan to Dhanmondi, Mirpur, Pallabi, Savar towards the north-south parts and from the older parts of the city in the south. The location is also the gateway to the northern part of the country including the adjacent districts of Gazipur, Tangail, Sirajgonj, Jamalpur, Mymensingh, Sherpur and Netrokona, most of the area being only a two to three hours’ drive away. The project is situated at the gateway of the capital beckoning the customers to a unique international shopping and entertainment experience.

once you are at the website, look at the top left corner of the screen, gives you a virtual tour of the complex.

http://www.ipcobd.com

http://www.globaledl.com/index2.htm

Fortune Shopping Mall

Circulatory passage :
16 feet wide driveway is provided in front of the FORTUNE SHOPPING MALL to avoid traffic congestion. It will attract the desired traffic from the mainstream into the site area and thus will reduce the extra hazards of the shoppers.

Vehicular traffic :
The whole traffic system in the car parking levels of FORTUNE SHOPPING MALL will be managed through a centrally located computer cell. The number and location of vacant parking spaces in 3 basement levels shall be indicated by computer so that the drivers can easily locate the desired parking spaces. Adequate number of CCTV will be installed in the parking areas to ensure full time security and monitoring.

Security system :
Security system incorporates passive sensors, CCTV, card punch system & key box locking system (where necessary) and other advanced components.

Power supply :
FORTUNE SHOPPING MALL will have own generators for emergency power supply, for minimum functional requirements.

Central Air Conditioning :
Central air-conditioning system will be provided. Individual shops will be provided with chilled air outlets. Building Automation System (BMS) will be used to avoid wastage of energy in air conditioning.

Telecommunication :
All shops of FORTUNE SHOPPING MALL will enjoy the facility of central PABX system in addition to their own T&T lines. Computerized billing system will take care of bills.

Advertisement :
FORTUNE SHOPPING MALL may have its own giant screen (LCD panel) to show the commercials of the products. Shop owners and brand companies can easily reach their prospective clients through the LCD panel, at the advertisers’ cost

Fire and Safety :
The whole complex will be equipped with most modern fire detection system and will be supplemented with fire hydrants in each floor. The fire exit is designed in such a way to allow users to evacuate without crossing the lift lobby. The fire exit area is protected manifold by means of fire rated doors.


http://www.globaledl.com/fullmage/ph06.jpg

http://www.globaledl.com/fullmage/ph05.jpg

http://www.globaledl.com/fullmage/ph04.jpg

http://www.globaledl.com/fullmage/ph03.jpg

http://www.globaledl.com/fullmage/ph02.jpg

Wow,an Apache-like chopper flies by :)

http://www.globaledl.com/fullmage/ph05.jpg

Fortune Shopping Mall is an interesting project!

very nice...keep going

Japan Garden City Ltd. the mega satellite city is being constructed under direct supervision and financial arrangement of the Japanese company for providing pollution free, safe and pleasant living equipped with most modern equipment and amenities.

http://www.jgclbd.com/images/abou_pic.jpg http://www.jgclbd.com/images/location.jpg

http://www.jgclbd.com/images/faci.jpg

http://www.jgclbd.com/images/map-img.jpg

Here are some construction photos.

http://www.jgclbd.com/images/cons_07.jpg http://www.jgclbd.com/images/cons_05.jpg

http://www.jgclbd.com/images/cons_06.jpg http://www.jgclbd.com/images/cons_01.jpg

http://www.jgclbd.com/images/cons_011.jpg http://www.jgclbd.com/images/cons_04.jpg

http://www.jgclbd.com/images/cons_09.jpg http://www.jgclbd.com/images/cons_03.jpg

http://www.jgclbd.com/index1.html

Just wondering..Is there any MCDonalds or KFC in Dhaka now?

There are Pizza Hut and A&W in Dhaka and also some Australian and British chains but no Mcdonalds, Burger King or KFC. Government refuses to allow those chains to import beef.

Interesting because PAkistan has McD, KFC everywhere and since beef is not allowed in India, MacD is using Lamb for their burgers..

Elevated expressway work
begins next year
ALPHA ARZU

http://www.newagebd.com/met.html

The government will begin the construction of the elevated expressway in the Dhaka city early next year to speed up traffic and reduce congestion.
The 20-kilometre expressway, to be built in two phases, will take six years to complete, said the minister for communications, Nazmul Huda, after a meeting with a six-member technical team from Thailand, led by the Export-Import Bank president, Sataporn Jinachitra, on Monday.
The prime ministers of Bangladesh and Thailand are expected to lay the foundation of the expressway, which will be built at a cost of $321 million with the assistance of the Thai government.
The Thai government-owned Export-Import Bank is likely to provide around 60 per cent of the total cost of the expressway as soft loan, said Huda.
‘The Thai government will provide 20 per cent of the cost as grant and the Bangladesh government will provide the remaining 20 per cent,’ the minister told New Age.
The first phase, around 13 kilometres of expressway with a four-lane viaduct over the existing roads, will be constructed at a cost of around $203 million, Huda told newsmen after the meeting.
Users’ tolls will be collected at toll booths at some locations, and it is estimated that Tk 30 crore can be collected as toll revenue.
A project concept paper has been submitted to the Planning Commission for the revised route from Kemal Ataturk Avenue to the Mohakhali flyover to the Sonargaon crossing to New Market to Katabon to Phulbaria to Gulistan (Golpashah Majar) to the second Buriganga bridge for the first phase.
The expressway will have exit points at Golapshah Mazar, Nilkhet, New Market and the Sonargaon crossing, said an officer.
The first phase of the project is scheduled to be completed in three years from the beginning of construction, said a ministry official.
He said the second phase is the construction of a seven-kilometre expressway from Kemal Ataturk Avenue to Pragati Sarani at an estimated cost of $118 million. It is also expected to take three years to complete, said the official.
The task force of Bangladesh will try to fix the repayment period of the 60 per cent soft loan within 20 years at a meeting with the Thai delegation on Tuesday.
The six-member Thai delegation on Monday met the communications minister to discuss financial and technical support for constructing the elevated expressway.
The delegates include the president of Thai Exim Bank, Sataporn Jinachitra, deputy director general of the Department of South Asia, Middle East and African Affairs of the ministry of foreign affairs, assistant manager of the International Project Division of the bank, Krisada Nutalaya, counsellor of the Department of South Asia, Middle East and African Affairs, Arunrung Phothong, senior economist of the Bureau of Financial System Policy of the Thai finance ministry and economist of the Bureau of International and Microeconomic Policy of the finance ministry.
The Thai delegation will discuss certain issues with the officials of the Roads and Highways Department.
The decision of constructing the expressway to ease traffic congestion was made during Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra’s visit to Dhaka in August 2002.
The issue was also discussed during the return visit of the Bangladesh prime minister, Khaleda Zia, to Thailand in 2004.

Moghbazar-Mouchak flyover close to a reality
Kausar Islam Ayon

http://www.thedailystar.net/2005/06/15/d506152503110.htm

The design for the long-awaited Moghbazar-Mouchak flyover was finalised last week with construction expected to cost some Tk 430crore. Work could start by January 2006, said project officials.

The Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development (KFAED), which funded the expenditure for feasibility study and design, would finance the entire project also.

http://www.thedailystar.net/2005/06/15/2005-06-15__city02.jpg

"We will send the design to the Kuwait government this week. All the procedures for starting the construction work may begin once they have approved the design," said Haider Ali, project director of the flyover.


The flyover will be 6.1 kilometres long with two levels having eight lanes each. Initially the plan was to construct a 2.1kilometre flyover.


"We preferred the two levels for the flyover as that can cover more areas including Satrasta and Rampura, the two busy level crossings at Mouchak and Moghbazar and the crowded intersections there. The aim is to make the entire area free of traffic congestion," said the project director.

He however admitted that it would be difficult to create alternative roads for the traffic during construction as the existing roads around the proposed flyover site are narrow and the volume of the traffic very high. The flyover could take 36 months to be completed.


"We are planning to keep the different segments of the flyover at a distance from the main roads. We will fix them only at night," said the project director.


The flyover will start from the Satrasta end infront of BG Press and will stretch up to Syed Nazrul Islam Avenue over the Moghbazar intersection. Four lanes would take a left turn at Moghbazar and would go straight up to Wareless intersection.

From the Kakrail point, the flyover would start in front of the Karnaphuli Market and run up to the Malibagh intersection before taking a left turn to Mouchak intersection where four lanes would head to Moghbazar intersection and another four going towards Rampura taking a right turn. At Moghbazar this stretch of the flyover one end would meet the surface road at New Eskaton.

"The flyover on the way to Satrasta from Syed Nazrul Islam Avenue two lanes would descend infront of the BFDC by turning left," said Haider Ali.


Project officials informed that there would be two electronic traffic signal posts on the flyover at Mouchak and Malibagh intersections.


"The signals will be maintained in a way so that the vehicles only have to stop at one signal at a time," said Robert E. Rickman, team leader for feasibility study, design and documents.


"We have seen in our research that much fuel is wasted in these areas only due to traffic jams. The amount is more the Tk. 100 crore per year. So we believe that in five years, some Tk.500 crore worth of fuel could be saved through this flyover," said the team leader of the project.


The government took the initiative to construct this flyover two years ago. The Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) is in charge of implementing the project.

http://www.thedailystar.net/2005/06/22/d506222502123.htm

Gulistan-Jatrabari flyover construction to start in July
Speakers say at agreement signing ceremony
City Correspondent

http://www.thedailystar.net/2005/06/22/2005-06-22__city02.jpg

The proposed 7.5km Gulistan-Jatrabari flyover will not only ease traffic congestion in the area but improve communication network with the eastern districts as well, speakers at the agreement signing ceremony of the flyover at Nagar Bhaban commented yesterday.

An agreement was signed between Dhaka City Corporation (DCC) and Belhasa-Accom and Associates Ltd, a UAE-Canada-India joint venture for the construction of country's longest flyover stretching from Shanir Akhra to Gulistan at the cost of Tk 706 crore that will start in July.

"Dhaka's communication network with Comilla, Chittagong, Sylhet, Noakhali and Chandpur will improve when the flyover will be opened to traffic," said DCC Mayor Sadeque Hossain Khoka who signed the contract for DCC with M Obaidul Karim, chairman, Belhasa- Accom.

Bangladeshi Orion, UAE's Belhasa and Indian Accom will complete the project within 30 to 36 months alternately connecting Jatrabari with Gulistan on Build, Own, Operate and Transfer (BOOT) basis. The preliminary work for the flyover has already started.


"The survey for constructing the flyover started a week back by an Indian and Canadian team. We will also conduct soil test under the supervision of BUET and the foundation work will start in July," Belhasa-Accom's chairman told Star City.

Present at the agreement signing ceremony were Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister Abdul Mannan Bhuiyan, Housing and Public Works Minister Mirza Abbas and State Minister for Expatriates Welfare and Overseas Employment Quamrul Islam.

One of the speakers said that the flyover would be constructed at one of the densely congested areas in the city. The flyover would not only reduce traffic congestion but also allow the government to generate economic benefits, the speaker added.

The flyover will have 13 ramps and six entrances with four lanes on either side. Starting from the junction of Nawabpur and Shaheed Fazle Rabbi Road, the alignment follows Shaheed Fazle Rabbi Road keeping Gulistan garden, Bangabhaban and Rajdhani market on the left to intersect with the Hatkhola Road at Tikatuli.

"The 13 ramps will be provided at various locations for smooth flow of traffic as they will be inter-connected. Among those, six ramps will be allocated for entry into the flyover at six different locations," said Project Director Ashiqur Rahman.

The flyover is will be a paid ride for city commuters. To ply along the flyover, a motorcycle will have to pay Tk 5, CNG-run autorickshaw Tk 10, car Tk 35, jeep Tk 40, microbus Tk 50, minibus Tk 100 and trailer Tk 200.

As per the agreement, the toll rates for the vehicles will be revised every three years, according to the change in the inflation rate. The contractor of the flyover will own and operate the flyover for 24 years and thereon the DCC will take control. The DCC will get five percent of the profit from the flyover income without any financial investment.

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs on March 19 approved the Jatrabari flyover project which had been tabled by the DCC and the local government ministry to the cabinet committee more than two years ago.

Another model of the flyover below:
http://www.nayadiganta.com/2005/06/22/back-bridge.jpg

That Japan city is coming up nicely.

37 storey "City Center" in Dhaka. Construction started last year and expected to be completed in 2007. The rendering is too nice to ignore.

http://www.citycentrebd.com/

construction site of the "City Center" a few months ago...
http://www.thedailystar.net/2005/05/23/2005-05-23__city01.jpg

'City Centre will be Dhaka’s icon’
MAHFUZ SADIQUE

The 37-storey City Centre, now under construction in the downtown Dhaka, which will have 10 storeys of parking space, will help to mitigate the persistent traffic congestion in the Dhaka city.
Salman Obaidul Karim, director of the Orion Group, which owns Accom Engineering, and the local partner of the builders Belhasa Accom, the Bangladesh-United Arab Emirates joint venture, said this is a unique project. ‘It will set an example that serving the citizens and doing business can go hand in hand.’
‘Starting from the three basement parking floors to the eighth floor, the automated car parking facility at the centre will accommodate a maximum of 500 cars,’ said KM Nurul Islam, the project director. Of these, 125 will be reserved for permanent rental spots.
As a result of this facility, which will be under the jurisdiction of Dhaka City Corporation and operated by the builders, the roadsides between Dainik Bangla and Shapla Square will be relieved of the ever-increasing traffic of the Motijheel commercial district.
‘Besides the parking facility, the City Centre is set to become a landmark. Every major city has an iconic building. We still do not have one. We believe City Centre will be able achieve the vision,’ said Karim.
The Tk 80-crore project will have office spaces, a convention centre, a business lounge, a gymnasium, refreshment and recreational areas.
Keeping in consideration the natural hazards, the structure is being built with earthquake-resistant technology,’ said Islam.
The Orion Group is one of the countries leading business houses with diverse interests in pharmaceuticals, infrastructure, power, agriculture, telecommunications, energy and the service sector.
The other major infrastructure project that Belhasa Accom will be implementing is the recently planned Gulistan–Jatrabari flyover.
The Dubai-based Belhasa Group, is accredited with the construction of the 7-Star Burj Al Arab Hotel in Dubai.

http://www.newagebd.com/met.html#2

A new museum to be constructed near Asad Gate, Dhaka.

http://www.nayadiganta.com/2005/07/12/pic-1.jpg

http://www.thedailystar.net/2005/07/17/2005-07-17__city02.jpg

Renderings of City Centre

1
http://tinypic.com/8vpxcp.jpg

2
http://tinypic.com/8vpxfl.jpg

3
http://tinypic.com/8vpxkg.jpg

Nice.

Work on Dhaka-Ctg expressway
to begin in March

http://au.biz.yahoo.com/050719/17/64vq.html

The government decided to start the implementation of an ambitious project for constructing Dhaka-Chittagong expressway as a second highway between the capital and the port city involving Tk 7,000 crore from March 2005.
A Malaysia-based private investment company, Ajimat Consortium, placed the proposal to the government for the implementation of the project on a build-operate-transfer scheme, said the minister for communications, Nazmul Huda, at a meeting in Dhaka on Monday.
The proposed expressway to be constructed keeping the existing Dhaka-Chittagong Highway intact, will be named Dhaka-Chittagong Highway-2. The meeting was informed that the 210-kilometer road would be a separate route to Chittagong from Dhaka.
The meeting on the ‘Dhaka-Chittagong expressway construction project under foreign private investment’ was held in the ministry conference room.
The meeting was told that the 210-kilometre road would reach Chittagong through Narayanganj, Munshiganj, Chandpur, Lakshmipur, Sonagazi, Sitakunda and Hathazari.
Each of the six lanes of the expressway will be three metres in width and the expressway can made to have eight lanes and an emergency lane. There will be separate speed limits for each of the lanes. There will also be entry and exit points at all the district headquarters that the proposed expressway crosses.
Necessary information and data will be collected through closed-circuit camera television installed at different points.
The will be parking spaces, filling stations, toilets, waiting rooms, prayer rooms and food courts at different points along the way.
The construction firm will build two bridges over the River Meghna and the River Sitalakhya and short flyovers at places for smooth traffic and protection of arable land.
The consortium, composed of six Malaysian firms, placed the proposal for funds for the entire project. It sought 30 years to repatriate its investments from toll collection.

Renderings of City Centre

1
http://tinypic.com/8vpxcp.jpg

2
http://tinypic.com/8vpxfl.jpg

3
http://tinypic.com/8vpxkg.jpg
how tall is it?

it will be 37 storeys tall. Construction started last year. You will find all the info @ http://www.citycentrebd.com/index2.htm

http://www.thedailystar.net/2005/07/26/d5072601096.htm

48-km Dhaka Bypass to open in Dec
Rafiq Hasan

Dhaka Bypass will be opened for traffic from December to enable the vehicles from outside Dhaka and bound for Chittagong and Sylhet to avoid the snarl-ups of the capital.

According to sources, the 48-kilometer road will be helpful especially for the vehicles from Greater Mymensingh and 16 northern districts to bypass the city centre and go to Chittagong and Sylhet without hassles.


Communications Minister Nazmul Huda yesterday paid a sudden visit to a construction site of the road and observed the progress of the work. The ministry has taken up the project in addition to the proposed Eastern Bypass as an immediate remedy to the heavily burdened roads in the capital, the source said.


Huda said after the opening of the road, the pressure of vehicles on the city streets would come down significantly. Besides, the freight trucks, which are not allowed to enter the city during daytime, would have an access to the capital at all times.


The Dhaka bypass project, which will cost an estimated Tk 283 crore, was taken up in January 2002. The minister was told that the construction of a bridge over the River Sitalakkhya on Kanchon part of the road is also nearing completion. The 445-meter-long bridge will cost Tk 77 crore to build.


Besides, the construction work of other smaller bridges and culverts on the bypass is also making fast progress.

The bypass, which would be a four-lane highway with divider in the middle, starts at Joydevepur and stretches till Chittagong Highway at Madanpur, connecting the Sylhet National Highway, said sources.

The construction work has suffered several setbacks as the finance ministry on a number of occasions had blocked the disbursements of fund following allegations of excess expenditure.


At first, the cost of the project was estimated to be around Tk 90 crore. But amid objections from the finance ministry it rose to Tk 283 crore.


A high-powered committee comprising the officials of the planning ministry had investigated the reasons behind the soaring expenses. It found that the cost went up because the road was being constructed with four lanes instead of two lanes of the original plan.


The committee found the ballooning cost reasonable and recommended resuming release of the funds.

CONTINENTAL HOSPITAL

http://204.202.251.122/bdjobs/hot_job/CHL.gif

United Group is engaged in building a state of the art 450 bed ultra modern hospital in Dhaka in collaboration with KPJ Healthcare Berhad, the largest integrated private healthcare group in Malaysia who owns and operates 13 specialist hospitals in Malaysia and 2 in Indonesia. Continental Hospital is strategically placed with a panoramic Lake view in the posh diplomatic enclave (Gulshan-Baridhara). It is expected to be operational by November 2005.

The motto of Continental Hospital Ltd. Is to offer quality healthcare services to the people of Bangladesh and of the central Asian region.

http://204.202.251.122/bdjobs/hot_job/united.htm

it will be 37 storeys tall. Construction started last year. You will find all the info @ http://www.citycentrebd.com/index2.htm
How many feet or meters is it?

Tmac, do you have any recent (and not small) pics of Motijheel? In particular I wanted to see pics of that circular highrise going up behind Sonali Bank (an annex, I suppose) and that new highrise next to Jibon Bima Corp.

wow Tanzirian, I have been waiting to find pictures of those exact buildings for a while. The circular one behind Sonali bank is a 22 storied head office for Peoples Insurance Company. I have no idea what the 20 plus storied blue glass building behind Jiban Bima is. Whenever I find them I will post them.

tmac ive been following your work on the website for a while now. You have been doing a superb job. Keep up the excellent work. I would also like to contribute. ive many pics to share but im having difficulty posting them. By the way that blue building behind jiban bima is called younis tower. I have a photo of it. can u help me on how to post it?

Thanks Tmac, your pics are appreciated as always. I was last in Dhaka in 2000 and will not get to go back till 2008, so your posts keep me up to date.

Tanzirian, here is a small rendering of the near completed 22 storied Peoples Insurance Building behind Sonali Bank in Motijheel. Check the other ongoing and upcoming buildings.

http://www.delvistaa.com/d_pics/vistaara%20projects/picl_1%20copy.jpg

http://www.delvistaa.com/vistaara-ongoingproj.htm

Thanks for the pic!
Its nice to see Motijheel getting some attention after having taken a back-seat to Gulshan and Kawran for awhile. My grandfather's house is about a 5 min walk from Motijheel, with a nice rooftop view, so I will get to take some pics of the new constructions when I finally do get back. By then City Centre will be complete so that will be a plus. Hopefully City Centre will spur some more development in the area, like a good hotel or restaurants, which are lacking there.

Have they started construction on the City Centre?

Have they started construction on the City Centre?
this picture is from a local newspaper printed on May 23' 2005 showing the construction.

http://www.thedailystar.net/2005/05/23/2005-05-23__city01.jpg

http://au.biz.yahoo.com/050802/17/6j33.html

METRO-RAIL SYSTEM TO ENCOMPASS DISTRICTS ADJACENT TO DHAKA

Tuesday August 2, 2005, 4:53 pm

DHAKA, Aug 2 Asia Pulse - Communications Minister Barrister Nazmul Huda said the proposed Dhaka underground metro-rail system would encompass the districts adjacent to Dhaka.

The districts and areas that will be brought under the metro-rail system are Savar, Keraniganj, Narayanganj, Manikganj, Narsingdi, Gazipur, Dohar and Munshiganj.


The minister said this at a meeting on the draft report for implementing Strategic Transport Planning Project at his ministry today, said a PID handout.

The meeting was told that the government has taken the Strategic Planning Project to face the challenges of the next 20 years in transport, road and rail communication system in the country.

The project will be implemented with an estimated cost of US$3.5 billion with assistance from various donor agencies, including World Bank, IMF, ADB and JBIC.

David H Jarrett, team leader of the Strategic Transport Planning Project, presented the draft report at the meeting.

Experts in the report suggested introduction of multi-modal transport system, developing major roads and footpaths, imposing a ban on plying of rickshaws on main roads.

It also suggested construction of a bypass from Aricha to Mawa on the western side of Dhaka and many new roads on the eastern side.

The report recommended construction of necessary highways, road corridors, arterial roads, bypasses, circular roads, ring roads and link roads.

State Minister for Communications Salahuddin Ahmed, Communications secretary Md Shafiqul Islam, chairman of STP advisors Dr Jamilur Reza Chowdhury, chief engineer of Roads and Highways Department Faizur Rahman, DG of Bangladesh Railway AFM Mustafizur Rahman were present.

rendering of the under construction 34 storied City Bank headquarter in downtown Dhaka.

http://www.thecitybank.com/image/hdbuild.jpg

Tk 32.7m Osmani Uddyan renovation work starts

http://www.financialexpress-bd.com/index3.asp?cnd=8/19/2005&section_id=3&newsid=11088&spcl=no

The Dhaka City Corporation (DCC) has taken initiatives to renovate the unusable Osmani Uddyan in the city at a cost of Tk 32.7 million, reports BDNEWS. Osmani Uddyan is located at the heart of Dhaka city next to Motijheel, the commercial hub of the city.
About 800 harmful trees out of 1100 trees of the Uddyan will be cut down and about 600 wood and fruit-bearing trees will be planted there.
Technical committee member and professor of BUET Nizamuddin Ahmed disclosed this to the journalists while inaugurating Osmani Uddyan renovation programme Thursday.
Osmani Uddyan Management Committee president and environmentalist Serajul Islam Chowdhury inaugurated the programme unveiling the plaque.
Welcoming the initiatives of DCC Serajul Islam told the journalists that Osmani Uddyan, which lies in the city centre, should be an ideal park.
He urged the city dwellers to join with the management of the Uddyan (park) and lend their economical support to its development activities.
BUET teacher Nizamuddin Ahmed said the renovation work will be done in two phases. The first step is to free the park from grabbers, erect boundary walls, dig artificial lake, construct walking roads along the boundary walls and plantation of trees.
The second phase will include: renovation and development works of the lake, construction of inner roads, setting up benches for visitors, children's park and construction of 11 fountains bearing resemblance of 11 sectors of the Liberation War.

Tmac...................very nice. These will do Dhaka proud when completed.

Tmac, where is exactly is City Bank being built and when will it be completed? Nice to know about another 30 plus storey building going up so soon...for a long time Dhaka had just one. And it looks good too.

Its a pity we can't find info about exact heights of Dhaka buildings. Can anyone help in this regard? I would imagine that City Centre will be about 400 ft or so...

Tanzirian, I only know that The City Bank headquarter is being built in Dilkhusha area. It's going to be right next to the other towers in Motijheel. Imagine once built how downtown is going to look? Can't wait.

here's the article I first read about the City Bank tower, it was in The Daily Star (Feb 21, 2003). The building should be nearing completion soon.

http://www.thedailystar.net/dailystarnews/200302/21/n3022105.htm#BODY4

Dhaka bypass highway to be completed soon

http://www.bangladesh-web.com/news/view.php?hidDate=2005-08-22&hidType=NAT&hidRecord=0000000000000000057624

Monday August 22 2005 10:49:18 AM BDT


Communications Minister Barrister Nazmul Huda Sunday said the Dhaka Bypass Highway and the Kanchan Bridge on river Shitalakkhya will be opened within a few months to permanently resolve the capital’s traffic jam problem, reports UNB.

The Minister said this during a visit to project site and exchanging views with the local people and engineers of the bypass project near Joydebpur.

Huda said work on the 48-kilometer-long Bypass Highway at a cost of Tk 241 crore and the Tk 90 crore bridge was nearing completion to connect Joydebpur-Debgram-Bhulta-Nayapur-Madanpur areas of eastern side of Dhaka.

The whole cost of the project is being financed by the government from its own fund, said a press release of the ministry. Buses, trucks and other vehicles coming from greater Sylhet, Chittagong and Comilla areas will be able to bypass capital Dhaka using the new Bypass and Tongi road and move to Mymensingh and through using Bangabandhu Bridge to 16 northern districts, the Minister said.

Dhaka Zoo to build modern theme park

http://www.financialexpress-bd.com/index3.asp?cnd=9/17/2005&section_id=3&newsid=830&spcl=no

An initiative has been taken to make Dhaka Zoo more attractive by setting up a modern theme park, reports BDNEWS.
Dhaka Zoo sources said, the authorities of the zoo have asked for an allocation of Tk 2.5 million (25 lakh) from the fisheries and livestock ministry.
The park inside the zoo will be expanded and eight sophisticated rides will be installed there, sources added.
The rides include electric train, single rocking machine, water world, battery car, etc.
The zoo authorities said, visitors have to buy tickets to enter the park and for the rides at more economical rates than other theme parks in the country.
Curator Mofizur Rahman told the news agency that though the zoo authorities will install the rides, they would be leased out to a private firm for a certain period for their operation.

US pvt co keen to build sky rail line in Bangladesh
By BSS, Dhaka
Thu, 26 Jan 2006, 10:22:00


A US private transport company has expressed its eagerness to set up sky rail lines from Narayanganj to Joydevpur and Sadarghat to Savar at a cost of over Taka 50 billion to facilitate transportation system of the country. The company-American Transport System Corporation (ATSC) -- has already talked to the authorities of Equalizer, a local private firm, to implement the project on a partnership basis, concerned sources said in Dhaka.

A six-member delegation led by the chairman of ATSC is expected to arrive in Dhaka on February 6 to discuss the project with the concerned government authorities, said chairman of Equalizer M. Younusuzzaman in the city.

Talking to newsmen at the National Press Club, he said according to the proposal submitted earlier to the Board of Investment (BOI) nearly 100-kilometre rail lines will be set up under the project that includes 40-km line from Narayanganj to Joydevpur, nearly 40-km from Sadarghat to Savar and 20-km circular rail line. "Initially, the project cost has been estimated at Taka 50 billion," he said, adding that if the proposal is accep ted by the government, the project would be built in a BOT (Built-Operation and Transfer) basis.

Giving a salient feature of the scheme, he said under the project a 50-megawatt power plant will be set up for meeting electricity requirements to run trains between the routes. The passengers from each stations will be able to avail train in every three minutes.

He said after the government approval, the project would be completed within four years and one million people will be transited every day with the introduction of the "Light Rail Way Transport (LRT)" system. Apart from this, some 3,000 new jobs would be created in the project.

Younusuzzaman said although the ATSC would be the main investor of the project, its other sister concerns, including Vince Construction Company of UK, Bombardier of Germany and Systra of the Philippines, will be involved with the implementation of the total project.

"Initial discussion between local partner Equalizer and main investor ATSC has been completed to this end. Now the foreign investing companies will discuss the project with the government," he added.

M. Anwarul Quaium, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Equalizer said the rail line will be constructed on the existing road divider and the height of the rail line will be 33 feet. "We have floated the idea as introduction of much-talked about metro tube is not feasible for the country due to its soil condition," he added.

He said after full implementation of the project, the traffic congestion in the city will be eased as well as pressure on the capital city will be reduced significantly. The ATSC has constructed light rail transport line in India, Taiwan, South Korea, Philippines and Malaysia. In New York, over five million people are being transited t hrough sky rail line every day

DCC picks two firms for construction of two shopping complexes

The Dhaka City Corporation has picked two firms to construct two multi-storey shopping complexes at Gulshan 2 and Banani.
The Basundhara City Development has been selected to construct a 26-storey shopping complex on a 3-bigha land at Gulshan-2 and the Borak Real Estate Limited has been selected to construct a 13-storey shopping complex on a 3-bigha land at Banani, said an official of the corporation.
Both the firms have been selected, following evaluation of tender committee of the corporation, he said.
The draft contract agreements were signed between the Dhaka City Corporation and both the firms on February 12, which were approved by the mayor, Sadeque Hossain Khoka, on the day.
Both the complexes will be constructed on a build-own-transfer scheme, which is now waiting for the final approval of the LGRD and Cooperatives Ministry.
After getting the final approval of the ministry concerned, the firms will finally be awarded the construction of the complexes, said the official.
The estimated cost for the construction of the Gulshan complex is about Tk 56 crore which will be provided by the Bashundhara City Development.
After the construction of the complexes, the Gulshan complex will be divided into the ratio of 25:75, that is, corporation will get 25 per cent shares and Bashundhara will get 75 per cent, he said.
On the other hand, the estimated cost for the construction of the Banani shopping complex is Tk 38 crore.
The share of the market will be divided into 30:70 ratio, that is, the corporation will get 30 per cent share and the Borak Real Estate Limited will get 70 per cent.
The corporation will be the owner of the first six storeys, open spaces and other unusable portion of both the complexes.
The first six storeys of both the complexes will be used for shopping complex and the rest will be used for office and other purpose.

http://www.newagebd.com/2006/feb/21/met.html

does anyone have any information about the proposed World Trade Center in kawranbazar or the proposed 5 Star hotel on the vacant land right beside the Sonargoan Hotel in dhaka.?

Does anyone know when Dhaka's city Centre will be completed? And also, does anyone have a pano shot of Dhaka's skyline?

Does anyone know when Dhaka's city Centre will be completed? And also, does anyone have a pano shot of Dhaka's skyline?

City Centre is scheduled to be completed by 2008. Dhaka has atleast 4 different skylines spread all across the city. You can check the Dhaka skyscrapers thread for all the available photos.

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=138718&page=1&pp=20

If this keeps up, Dhaka may end up looking like Bangkok or Sao Paulo in another 10-20 years or so.

Independence Monument Construction to end by June '06

Construction of the Swadhinata Stambha (Independence Monument) at the Suhrawardy Udyan is going to be completed within June 2006, said sources in the Ministry of Liberation War Affairs.

Almost 75 percent of the monument's work has been completed. The project is awaiting completion as a 100-foot high glass tower is yet to be constructed, said sources in the ministry.


"The work of the project is in progress and we are expecting to finish it within June 2006," said Prof Rezaul Karim, state minister for Liberation War Affairs.


"We invited tender for the fourth time for the tower and will wait for the response, after that we will think what can be done regarding the tower. We cannot say anything about the tower right now," he added.


The Ministry of Public Works has already handed over the project to the Ministry of Liberation War Affairs for its completion.

The memorial includes some murals depicting the history of the Liberation War and the struggle for freedom from 1948 to 1971. The murals were built at a cost of Tk 1.75 crore, sprawling over an area of 67 acres.


It also includes an underground theatre, an underground museum, a 157-seat audiovisual auditorium, a display gallery and a decorative fountain.


Suhrawardy Udyan, formerly known as Race Course maidan, has been selected for constructing the memorial as the Pakistan occupation army surrendered on this ground on December 16, 1971 after the nine-month bloody war.

http://www.thedailystar.net/2006/03/01/d603012506119.htm

few construction photos and renderings of the Swadhinata Stambha (Independence Monument) at the Suhrawardy Udyan.

http://www.worldviewcities.org/dhaka/images/dhaka/urbana_96.jpg

http://www.worldviewcities.org/dhaka/images/dhaka/urbana_93.jpg

http://www.thedailystar.net/magazine/2003/12/02/cover05.jpg http://www.thedailystar.net/2003/10/13/2003-10-13__city04.jpg

Birds eye view of the construction site

http://www.thedailystar.net/2004/12/01/2004-12-01__city01.jpg http://www.thedailystar.net/2003/10/13/2003-10-13__city03.jpg

http://www.thedailystar.net/2003/11/07/2003-11-07__letter02.jpg http://www.thedailystar.net/2004/03/21/2004-03-21__city02.jpg http://www.thedailystar.net/2004/08/29/2004-08-29__city06.jpg

http://www.thedailystar.net/2003/12/03/2003-12-03__front01.jpg Construction photo from 2003

Dhaka Subway Plan
Firm increases length, tracks in revised plan

A local firm, which had submitted the lowest bid in a tender call by Bangladesh Railway for constructing an underground railway in Dhaka city, submitted a revised proposal to the government, increasing the length of the route and doubling the number of tracks.
Engineer Masud Reza, managing director of the firm, Contech Limited, submitted the fresh proposal to the Ministry of Communications and director general (DG) of Bangladesh Railway recently.

In the revised proposal, Contech Limited proposed to build a total of 52 kilometres of subway in Dhaka city spending Tk 5,200 crore. "We received the revised proposal and sent it to the Planning Commission for examination," said KMA Rob, the DG of Bangladesh Railway.

The decision in this regard will be taken according to the procedures, he said when asked whether the government will approve the project. The railway DG, however, admitted that the process of establishing a subway in Dhaka has been slowed down.

The revised proposal was submitted following the government's request, as none of the two proposals submitted earlier was found suitable, sources said. Bangladesh Railway had called an international tender in February 2003, for establishing an underground railway system in the capital on build operate and transfer (BOT) basis.

Although, 11 companies bought tender documents only two companies finally participated in the bid. Contech limited's bid was the lowest as it quoted Tk 2,000 crore for building 20 kilometres of subway. The other company Messrs Silvi Agency quoted Tk 6,000 crore for the same job.

In the first proposal, the company proposed to build a single circuit underground rail track.

According to sources, the company also got assurance from donor agencies for a big chunk of money as soft loan and arranged a consortium of local banks for financing the rest of the amount as commercial loan for the project. "If necessary we would also be able to collect money from the stock exchange through floating shares", Masud Reza told the Daily Star while explaining his plan for financing the project.

The company proposed that the underground railway system in the city could be established in three years time. According to the revised proposal the subway would have six routes covering almost every busy area in the city.

The first route would start from Gabtoli and end at Saidabad via IDB Bhaban and Mohakhali with a length of 17 kilometres.

The second route would be from Uttara to Mohakhali via airport and Banani. The third route would be from Pallabi to IDB Bhaban, the fourth would be from Ring Road to Shahabagh Via Satmasjid Road and Jigatola. The fifth route would go from Saidabad to Tejgaon via Kamlapur and the sixth would be from Gulistan to Sadarghat.

Masud Reza said the proposed underground railway system could be established through cut and cover method without disturbing surface traffic on any major route. The fare on the subway would also be less than the fare for surface transport system, he assured.

He said the subway would be 20 feet beneath the surface and it would also not disturb any utility service lines. He does not see any reason for conducting another feasibility study on the subject by the government.

"If the system is established on the basis of BOT the company concerned will do the feasibility study. They will take the project only if it is feasible. Other wise, they will not go for the project. Then why the government should spend money in feasibility study?" he wondered.

He claimed that cut and cover method is the most modern and appropriate for the soil in Dhaka city.

According to experts, underground subway is the only solution to the nagging traffic congestion in the densely populated city.

The huge traffic in the city cannot be handled only through surface transport system, they said.

http://www.thedailystar.net/2006/03/23/d60323011711.htm

This is really really good news. Dhaka really needs more subway lines instead of the network of flyovers currently being built. Is there a map of the proposed system though?

New national archives building opens on Monday

The new building of the Bangladesh National Archives will be inaugurated on Monday. The building was scheduled to be inaugurated in June 2004.
The prime minister, Khaleda Zia, is expected to inaugurate the building. The state minister for cultural affairs, Begum Selima Rahman, will chair the ceremony.
The directorate, with the National Library, National Archives and Copyright Office, is now housed in a building at Agargaon.
The cultural affairs ministry planned the construction of the National Archives building in three phases.
The first phase was completed in October 2005. The second and the third phase will be done on the evaluation of the first-phase work.
Former prime minister Sheikh Hasina laid the foundation of the building on June 20, 2001. The stack section of the archive, which preserves all government documents, needs at least eight to 10 storeys.
The new building will have 12 storeys spanning a space of 1.32 lakh square feet, but only two storeys were complete in the first phase.
The building will have a reading room, reception space, meeting rooms, a hall room, archivist’s room, research cells, computer lab, a canteen and the library.
It has all districts’ revenue and other official records of three centuries and a half. It also has a vast collection of books, said the director, Sharif Uddin Ahmed.
The archive section of the directorate already moved some of its documents to the new building, said Sharif Uddin.
‘We have for long been facing space problems. The volume of the documents increased over the years, and the building has failed to accommodate our collections,’ he said.
Chowdhury Engineering Enterprise Private Limited is constructing the new building, deputy director Salma Islam said.
The president of the parliamentary standing committee on the cultural affairs ministry, Shahidul Islam, and president of the parliamentary standing committee on the law, justice and parliament ministry, Khandakar Mahbub Uddin Ahmad, will attend the opening ceremony.

http://www.newagebd.com/met.html

Liberation War Museum to open in three months

http://www.thedailystar.net/2006/04/02/2006-04-02__city02.jpg

Construction of the Liberation War Museum, initiated by the Bangladesh Government, has been completed and arrangement and display of the memorabilia will be done within the next two to three months, the sources of the Ministry of Liberation War Affairs and National Museum said.

Rezaul Karim, chief engineer and the project director of the Museum said that the construction is complete.

"It is up to the ministry to organise the memorabilia in the museum and formally inaugurate it," he said.

The museum has been constructed as an under ground structure, under the Swadhi-nata Stambha, and is a part of the Swadhinata Complex at the Suhrawardy Uddayan.

The construction of the Swadhinata Stambha (Independence Monument) too will be completed by June this year said the Ministry sources.

Mahmudul Haque, Director General of the National Museum, also a member of the committee formed for the project of Government Liberation War Museum, said: "The memorabilia and other exhibits of the Liberation War will be displayed in the building within two to three months."

"We will exhibit some items from our museum and also the Liberation War Museum in Shegun Bagicha. Unfortunately we may have to make some replica or duplicated structures of some of these memorabilia, because we may not have sufficient items for display,' he added.

"During the reign of the previous government, where this Swadhinata Complex project was planned, the budget was Tk 81 crore 27 lakh, which was later increased to Tk 171 crore. But the present government allocated only Tk 76 crore three lakh for the entire complex. The total area of the complex, having eight components within its premises, is 20 acres whereas the area allocated for the museum is 31,878 square feet," said Karim. However, he could not say why the budget was decreased.

Dr. Sarwar Ali, Trustee and Member Secretary, of the privately owned Liberation War Museum, the lone such museum at the country now, said, "During the tenure of the Awami League, Finance Minister Late AMS Kirbia took an initiative to put up a museum dedicated only to the freedom fighters of the country. But with the change of government, we have not heard much about the project's progress."

Mehzabeen Khan, a resident of Dhanmondi, said, "The initiative of the government could be exalted if the museum would be inaugurated soon."

"It is only the government that can do things on a large scale as people involved in the present Liberation War Museum, have limited access in terms of money, space and scope to make a large museum dedicated to the country's heroes -- the martyrs and the freedom fighters."


http://www.thedailystar.net/2006/04/02/d604022502116.htm

Metro Rail

Local firm forms consortium with Sena Kalyan for logistic support

Local firm Contech Ltd, the pre-qualified bidder for construction of a 52-kilometre metro rail system in Dhaka city, formed a consortium with Bangladesh Sena Kalyan Sangstha for logistic support.

The consortium was formed with the Sangstha to facilitate financial matters, security, high quality operation and proper maintenance of the system during the entire BOT (built, operate and transfer) period, said Contech Managing Director engineer Masud Reza.

The consortium has been formed after approval from the army headquarters, a high official of the Sangstha said.

Masud Reza in a letter to the government also sought army deployment during the underground construction.

Army deployment is required for controlling and diverting traffic, providing necessary security and handling the utility lines of Wasa, Desa, T&T and Titas gas along the proposed metro lines, he said.

"Army engineering corps will be used to maintain high quality of the work. Besides, in the country only the army has necessary equipment and full capability to provide logistics support in a mega project like the Dhaka subway," Masud said.

He said the army can set up field laboratories, provide full-time supervision during the construction work along with the local and foreign consultants and help maintain the environment codes.

The Contech will pay due rent for using army construction equipment and other facilities under the supervision of Sena Kalyan Sangstha, he added.

The company submitted a revised proposal following a request from the government and is now waiting for a Letter of Intent for undertaking the construction work, sources said

The company, which got assurances from donor agencies of long-term soft loan for setting up the 52-kilometre metro rail, proposed constructing the subway at a cost of Tk 5,200 crore without any financial involvement of the government.

The company proposed to set up six major routes in Dhaka in three years and handover the system to the government after 20 years of operation. The company also committed to keep the fares in the subway lower than those in surface transport system.

Meanwhile, the government is actively considering formation of an independent metro railway authority for supervising the work of the underground rail system in private sector.

http://www.thedailystar.net/2006/04/04/d60404013119.htm

have any more info on the city centre project???

[visit http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=332654]

Bangladesh : Adamjee EPZ to undergo $400mn expansion
March 7, 2006

Md Zakir Hossain, Executive Chairman, Bangladesh Export Processing Zones Authority (Bepza), announced that the expected investment to develop Adamjee export processing zone (EPZ) rounds upto US $400 million within 18 months.

Government plans to set up around 50 industrial plants here, supported by over 28 foreign and domestic investors who have presented several proposals for their units.

This project is expected to yield over TK5.11 crore a year, generating more than 13730 jobs.

Products worth $750 million will exported from here every year.

Chairman informed that of the 200 plots, 103 plots covering 2000 square metres each, have already been developed and 37 of them had been allotted to four different companies.

British-Virgin Island and Hong Kong-based Kwun Tong Apparels Ltd, and Canada-based Hy-Lan Sweater International Ltd, have invested $38.85 million and $1.28 million, respectively.

Saleha Wear Ltd, a local company, and DNV Clothing Ltd, a joint venture between Bangladesh, India and the UAE, will start production soon here.

http://www.fibre2fashion.com/news/daily-textile-industries-news/newsdetails.aspx?news_id=13739

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v193/Bangladesh/bangladesh1/Bangladesh2/adamjeeEPZ.jpg
proposed model of the expanded Adamjee EPZ

SHOPPING COMPLEX AT GULSHAN, BANANI
DCC is set to issue work orders
Two more complexes on the cards

The Dhaka City Corporation is set to issue work order of two multi-storey shopping complexes at Gulshan-2 and at Banani soon as they received ministry approval.
The LGRD and cooperatives ministry on March 29 approved the proposals of two firms — Borak Real Estate to construct 13-storey Banani super market-cum-housing complex and the Bashundhara-Unique joint venture to construct 26-storey modern commercial complex, Gulshan Centre Point, said Sayed Mozaffar Hossain executive engineer of the bazar circle of the corporation.
He said the corporation would issue work order to the firms shortly and the evaluation of two more shopping complexes, at Gulshan Circle 1 and Mirpur Section 10, was going on.
Both the complexes will be constructed, on one acre of land each, on build-own-transfer schemes.
The estimated cost of the 26-storey Gulshan Complex is about Tk 75 crore, which will be provided by the Bashundhara City Development.
After the construction of the Gulshan Complex, the corporation will own 25 per cent of the space and Bashundhara will own the rest.
The estimated cost of the construction of the Banani Shopping Complex is Tk 38 crore.
Thirty per cent of the market space will go to the corporation and the rest to the Borak Real Estate after the completion of the complex.
The corporation will own the first five storeys of both the buildings, open spaces and other unusable portions.
The first five storeys of both the complexes will be used as shopping complex and remaining storeys will be used for office and other purposes.
The multi-storey market at Gulshan Circle 1 will be constructed on 2.25 acres of land and the market at Mirpur Section 10 will be constructed on 1.32 acres of land.
The corporation is expected to receive about Tk 100 crore by selling or allocating the shops and offices of the four complexes. The corporation is expected to earn Tk 10 crore a year from the complexes as rent, said Mozaffar.

http://www.newagebd.com/met.html

Osmani Udyan beautification going on in full swing

http://www.thedailystar.net/2006/04/24/2006-04-24__city02.jpg

Development and beautification of Osmani Udyan is going on in full swing to turn it into an attractive recreation spot for the city dwellers.
Dhaka City Corporation (DCC) has evicted most of the illegal occupants in the park to implement the project that includes a lake, a children park, fountains and walkways. It has fenced the entire park having a total area of 23 acres.

"We have evicted the bus stand, a library, an illegal nursery, type writers' shed, floating people and others from the park," said Sharif Uddin, executive engineer of DCC Zone-5.

However, DCC is yet to free three acres of the parkland from grabbers. One Monwara Begum claimed 2.8 acres of land inside the park including a building and got a High Court order in her favour. DCC's appeal against this order is now pending.

During the regime of HM Ershad the government had sold out a piece of the land to Muktijoddha Sangsad. Besides, Dhaka Wasa established a pump house and Osmani Memorial Hall authority set up its air-conditioning plant in the park. The police department got another space for constructing a road towards a barrack.

The first phase of the beautification and development project is now going on at a cost of Tk 3.27 crore in line with the suggestions from two committees comprising representatives from the civil society, educationists and environmentalists.

More than 50 percent of the first-phase work has been complete. The first phase includes fencing off the parkland with iron grills and bushy plants, and setting up of an artificial lake on its eastern side. The existing pond inside the park will be integrated with the lake.

"We will turn this park into a natural garden with lake, fountains and natural flowerbeds. Even the boundary walls will have beautiful flowerbeds. It will be one of the most beautiful places in the city to come and enjoy nature," said Dr Nizamuddin Ahmed, designer and planner of the beautification and development project.

Workers are now digging the lake and reconstructing the walkways inside the park. Concrete benches will be set up there for joggers and visitors. A children's park and an open stage for cultural activities will also be constructed.

"This lake will enhance the beauty of the park as well as the Gulistan area," said Sharif Uddin, the DCC executive engineer. "We are hopeful to open it by July," he said.

The second phase of the development will kick off soon, said officials. Under the second phase, eleven fountains bearing the names of eleven sector commanders of the War of Liberation will be constructed. Their portraits will be put up on the boundary wall.

The people involved with this project believe that this time if the park authority fails to recover all its land they would lose control forever.

"This park is historically very important. So I appreciate this initiative. Establishing fountains after the name of our bravest sons made this project more worthy and gave us a chance to pay our heartiest respect to them," Professor Sirajul Islam, chairman of Osmani Udyan development, beautification and modernisation planning committee.

http://www.thedailystar.net/2006/04/24/d604242502121.htm

some under construction projects in the capital.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v128/Tarik/Tarik2/Tarik3/kearicrescent.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v128/Tarik/Tarik2/Tarik3/fortunemall.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v128/Tarik/Tarik2/Tarik3/shashabari.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v128/Tarik/Tarik2/Tarik3/queensgardenplaza.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v193/Bangladesh/bangladesh1/DhakaPropertySign.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v193/Bangladesh/bangladesh1/polwelcarnation.jpg

few more under construction projects. I wish I could post images of all the under construction highrise buildings and shopping malls. There are about a million of them.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v128/Tarik/Tarik2/Tarik3/Tarik4/rupayanhospital.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v193/Bangladesh/bangladesh1/jabbartowerunderconstr.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v128/Tarik/Tarik2/Tarik3/Tarik4/jabbartower2.jpg

Tmac,can u tell me where exactly in Gulshan the 26 storied Gulshan complex is being built?

Tmac,can u tell me where exactly in Gulshan the 26 storied Gulshan complex is being built?

Mirza, it's near Gulshan market 2.

DSE signs deal for new building

The Dhaka Stock Exchange on Sunday signed an agreement with Development Design Consultants Ltd for architectural and engineering consulting services for construction of a multi-storied office building complex of the bourse.
The DSE chief executive officer, Salahuddin Ahmed Khan, and Development Design Consultants Ltd director, AKM Nasiruddin, signed the agreement on the respective sides.
The DSE new building will be constructed at Nikunja in the city with an approximate cost of Tk 60 crore.

http://www.newagebd.com/busi.html

A new museum to be constructed near Asad Gate, Dhaka.

http://www.nayadiganta.com/2005/07/12/pic-1.jpg

http://www.thedailystar.net/2005/07/17/2005-07-17__city02.jpg


Can anyone post some more rendering of this musuem?? The design looks interesting!!

Moghbazar-Mouchak Flyover

The implementation of Moghbazar-Mouchak flyover project may soon start as the prime minister during her Kuwait tour beginning today is likely to discuss the funding for the project with the Kuwaiti government, project officials said.
The project, with all necessary pre-construction works done, is waiting for specific pledge from the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development (KFAED), which has agreed to finance the project aiming to ease traffic congestion in the city.

External Resources Division (ERD) sources said during the visit the PM will discuss two projects, to be funded by the KFAED, including the flyover, besides other issues.

After KFAED approved the final design of the flyover in 2005, the project got government nod on July 19 the same year.

The KFAED agreed in principle to finance the entire cost of the project, estimated at Tk 480 crore. The government in November last year sent a letter to the KFAED through the ERD seeking the entire amount for the construction of the flyover.

"The government is waiting for fund approval from the financier and then it would place the project into ADP (annual development project). But no strong initiative has been taken yet to negotiate for the fund," said a project official.

The project officials said they are ready with all necessary preparations and as soon as they get the fund, tender will be called for the construction of the flyover.

Another project funding for which would be discussed during the PM's visit is the proposed Ziaur Rahman Medical College Hospital in Bogra.

The KFAED has funded the Moghbazar-Mouchak flyover's feasibility study at a cost of Tk 3.66 crore. After the study the Local Government Engineering Division (LGED) finalised the design of the flyover.

The construction of 6.1 km flyover will be completed in three years. The flyover will have eight ramps, two levels and eight lanes on each level.

The proposed joint-line flyover will be constructed in Moghbazar-Mouchak area covering Saatrasta intersection to Syed Nazrul Islam Avenue (in front of Ramna Police Station) via Moghbazar intersection, from New Eskaton to Rajarbagh via Moghbazar intersection, Moghbazar Wareless Gate, Mouchak and Malibagh, and from Rampura to Shantinagar via Mouchak and Malibagh intersections.

"Our survey shows the growth rate of traffic using these roads is 10 per cent per year which mean in last two years it has increased by more than 20 per cent. These areas are already highly congested with heavy traffic flow and any unwanted delay in constructing the flyover will only aggravate the situation," said the project official.

The government had taken the initiative to construct the flyover in 2002.

http://www.thedailystar.net/2006/05/07/d605072503130.htm

Osmani Uddyan beautification continues

Beautification, development and renovation works of Osmani Uddyan is going on in full-swing to turn it into an attractive recreation spot for the city dwellers and is expected to be opened for all from July, said a Dhaka City Corporation (DCC) official.

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The first phase of the Project is now going on at a cost of Tk 3.27 crore in line with the suggestions from two committees comprising representatives from the civil society, educationists and environmentalists.

More than 50 per cent of the first-phase work has been completed. The first phase includes fencing off the parkland with iron grills and bushy plants, and setting up of an artificial lake on its eastern side. The existing pond inside the park will be integrated with the lake.

The park would become a natural garden with lake, fountains and natural flowerbeds after completion of its renovation works. Even the boundary walls will have beautiful flowerbeds, said Dr Nizamuddin Ahmed, Designer and Planner of the Project.

Workers are now digging the lake and reconstructing the walkways inside the park. Concrete benches will be set up there for joggers and visitors. A children's park and an open stage for cultural activities will also be constructed.

This lake will enhance the beauty of the park as well as that of the Gulistan area, said a DCC engineer.

The second phase of the development work will start soon, he added.

Under the second phase, eleven fountains bearing the names of eleven sector commanders of the War of Liberation will be constructed. Their portraits will adorn the boundary wall.

The people involved with the project believe that this time if the park authority fails to recover all its land they would lose control over it forever.

The park is historically very important. Establishing fountains after the name of our bravest sons made this project more worthy and gave us a chance to pay our heartiest respect to them, said Osmani Uddyan Development and Beautification Planning Committee member.

http://nation.ittefaq.com/artman/publish/article_27783.shtml

Construction of Tongi flyover to begin in few weeks

The construction of a flyover at Tongi will begin in a few weeks, said the communications minister, Nazmul Huda, on Tuesday.

The Roads and Highways Department will build the flyover at a cost of Tk 18 crore over the level crossing at Tongi on the Tongi-Kaliganj-Ghorashal Road.

The flyover, including the 676m approach road, will stretch 719 metres. The work will be completed in about 18 months.

The minister on Tuesday visited the project area to oversee the land acquisition and exchanged opinions with the local people.

Nazmul said after the construction of the flyover, traffic congestion will be eased in Dhaka.

http://www.newagebd.com/met.html

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Malaysia firms may fund, build $884 mln Bangladesh road

DHAKA, May 17 (Reuters) - Four Malaysian companies could invest $884 million to construct a second highway between Bangladesh's capital, Dhaka, and the country's main port of Chittagong, the head of one of the firms said on Wednesday.

"We have submitted the investment proposal to the communications ministry recently and are waiting for their approval," Manan Bin Amir, chief executive of Azimat Consortium, told reporters.

If they get the go-ahead, Azimat Consortium, Zelleco Construction Sdn Bhd, Malaysian Resources Corp Bhd and AMDB Bhd will construct the 198 km (125 mile) highway on a build, operate, own and transfer (BOOT) basis, Manan said.

"This is a most important road corridor and is considered to be the lifeline of commercial and economic activities in Bangladesh," he said.

Chittagong handles 80 percent of Bangladesh's exports and imports, officials said.

They said the existing 300-km (190-mile) Dhaka-Chittagong highway carried more than 16,000 motorised vehicles a day in both directions.

"The country needs a viable and very fast land route between the capital and the principal port," Manan said, adding the journey time between the two cities could be almost halved to four hours once the new six-lane highway was ready in five years' time.

http://asia.news.yahoo.com/060517/3/2knzr.html

Alternative Dhaka-Ctg highway proposed
Malaysian consortium keen to invest $884m

Azimat Consortium of Malaysian is vying to construct an alternative four-lane highway between Dhaka and Chittagong and the proposal is lying with the government for negotiation.

The group has proposed to build the 198-km highway at a cost of $884 million on build, own, operate and transfer (BOOT) basis. It will run through Narayanganj, Munishiganj, Matlab, Chandpur, Laxmipur, Sonagazi, Feni, Mirersharai, Hathazari to Chittagong.

The consortium comprising four leading Malaysian builders has proposed that the self-financing project will be completed in five years after the approval. The disclosure came at a presentation yesterday by Mannan Bin Amir, chief executive officer (CEO) of the consortium, at Dhaka Sheraton Hotel.

Kazi Solimul Haq MP, Malaysian High Commissioner in Dhaka Abdul Malek Bin Abdul Aziz, Vice-President of the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) Dewan Sultan Ahmed were Present.

The government is now expanding the existing Dhaka-Chittagong highway to four-lane with a view to easing the growing pressure on it.

The alternative highway, if approved by the government, will reduce the distance between Dhaka and Chittagong from 264-km to 200-km, the discussants said.

Replying to queries, Mannan Bin Amir said they have sought a concession period of 35 years. Apart from the five-year construction period, the group has sought a 30-year toll collection period to repatriate their investment. As per the proposal, 20 percent of the construction work may go to local companies.

http://www.thedailystar.net/2006/05/18/d6051801129.htm

GULISTAN-JATRABARI FLYOVER
Construction begins June 4

At last the construction work of the much-awaited flyover from Gulistan to Jatrabari will start on June 4.

Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia is scheduled to inaugurate the construction work.

The 7.5 kilometres long flyover is expected to be completed within two years. The flyover would be built at a cost of Taka 670 crore.

The International Finance Corporation (IFC) would finance 30 per cent of the total cost while Netherlands-based ING Bank would provide 20 per cent.

Dubai Commercial Bank and Belhasa-Accom and Associates Ltd. would provide the rest 50 per cent of the total cost.

LEA Associates International Ltd., a Canadian Consultant Company, has already completed the design of the project.

It will be built on the basis of Build Own Operate and Transfer Policy. The policy commonly known as BOOT is being practised all over the world.

The infrastructure will ease congestion at one of the country's most strategic intersection.

The Dhaka City Corporation will act as the Project Principal and Belhasa-Accom and Associated Ltd. will be the Concessaire. It will own and operate the Project for a period of 24 years in which it aims to recover its investment.

It is learnt that the toll for private car will be Taka 35 each while that for bus Taka 150 and for truck Taka 125 each.

The fly-over will run through one of the most congested areas of the city. A route, which should not take more than five minutes, takes more than two hours to negotiate at present. The building of the flyover will not only ease congestion but also allow the government to generate economic benefits such as reduction of national wastage and pollution.

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http://www.independent-bangladesh.com/news/may/19/19052006mt.htm#A4

Two more firms selected for two more complexes at Gulshan, Mirpur

The Dhaka City Corporation selected two firms for the construction of two multi-storey complexes — at Gulshan Circle 1 and at Mirpur Section 10.
The Amin Associates has been selected for the 18-storey complex at Gulshan and the Shahjahan Group for the 16-storey complex at Mirpur.
A draft agreement paper has been prepared and it will be sent to the LGRD and cooperatives ministry after mayoral approval, said Sayed Mozaffar Hossain, executive engineer of the bazar circle of the corporation.
The Gulshan complex will be constructed on 2.25 acres of land at an estimated cost of Tk 125 crore while the Mirpur complex will be constructed on 1.32 acres of land at an estimated cost of Tk 46 crore.
According to the proposals, after construction of the Gulshan complex, the corporation will get 27 per cent of shares and the Amin Associates 73 per cent. The corporation will get 22 per cent shares of the Mirpur complex and the Shahjahan Group will get 78 per cent shares.
The first five storeys, including the basement, of the complex at Gulshan will be used as shops while the first four storeys, including the basement, of the complex at Mirpur will be used as shops.
The remaining storeys of both complexes will be used as office and for other purposes, said Mozaffar.
The shops at the both complexes will be owned by the corporation. Besides, the corporation will own the open spaces and other unusable area of both the complexes.
The corporation on the other hand will issue work order for two more complexes — for a 26-storey complex at Gulshan Circle 2 and a 16-storey complex at Banani — in a week.
Agreements have recently been signed with the contractors and they are now taking preparation to begin construction.
The complexes will be built on a build, own and transfer scheme on one acres of land.
The corporation is expected to get about Tk 100 crore by selling or allocating the shops and offices at the four complexes. It expects to earn Tk 10 crore every year from the four complexes in rent, said Mozaffar.

http://www.newagebd.com/met.html

Gulistan-Jatrabari Flyover
PM to inaugurate construction on Sunday


Prime Minister Khaleda Zia will inaugurate the construction of Gulistan-Jatrabari flyover on Sunday, June 4.
"All preparations have been completed and we are hopeful that we will be to complete the construction of the flyover on time," said Ashiqur Rahman, project director (PD), Gulistan-Jatrabari flyover.

Belhasa-Accom and Associates Ltd, a joint UAE-Canada-India venture will invest and construct the flyover at a cost of Tk 710 crores under the supervision of Dhaka City Corporation (DCC). It will be the first flyover in the country under private investment.

"We are very happy to start the construction of the flyover and we are committed to complete it on time," said Salman Obaidul Karim, managing director, Belhasa-Accom and Associates Ltd.

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The construction of the 7.5 km long flyover, the longest of its genre in the country was supposed to start in June last year. The deadline could not be met because of the dispute between the project office and utility service providers regarding relocating of infrastructure along the way.

The ambiguity regarding relocation and reinstall utility services of Dhaka Water and Sewerage Authority (Wasa), Dhaka electricity Supply (Desa), Titas Gas, Bangladesh Telegraph and Telephone Board (BTTB) and many other service providers was resolved in February this year after the constructors decided to build it without moving the existing infrastructures.

A committee with the Buet Vice chancellor Prof Dr Mohammad Ali Mortuza as convenor recommended to relocate the pillars of the flyover keeping the utility service infrastructures intact. This decision would save at least Tk.150 crore, the committee said.

The flyover with 116 pillars will now be constructed with its pillars to be located at the spots where there are no pipes and connection lines underground.

The project got the final nod from the government on February 14 in an inter-ministerial meeting.

The investing and implementing authority will complete the project on Built Own Operate and Transfer (BOOT) basis.

The constructor of the flyover will own and operate the flyover for 24 years and afterwards will handover the ownership to DCC.

DCC will get a five percent share of the profit from the income of the flyover without making any financial investment.

Unlike the other flyovers in the city, commuters will have to pay a toll to use the flyover. The rates for using it have been fixed at Tk 5 for motorcycle, Tk 10 for CNG autorickshaw, Tk 35 for car, Tk 40 for jeep, Tk 50 for microbus, Tk 100 for minibus, and Tk 200 for truck.

The flyover that will be constructed at a total estimated cost of Tk 706 crore will have 13 ramps and six entrances with four lanes on either side.

Starting from the Nawabpur Road and Fazle Rabbi Road intersection, the alignment follows Saheed Fazle Rabbi Road keeping Gulistan Garden, Bangabhaban and Rajdhani market on the left side and intersect with the Hatkhola Road at Tikatuli intersection.

http://www.thedailystar.net/2006/05/31/d605312505134.htm

GULISTAN-JATRABARI FLY OVER CONSTRUCTION
Helemul Alam
The construction of the eight-kilometre Gulistan–Jatrabari flyover is set to begin on Sunday.
The prime minister, Khaleda Zia, as chief guest of the programme, is expected to lay the foundation stone of the flyover in Gulistan Square at 4:00pm.
The finance minister, M Saifur Rahman, LGRD and cooperatives minister Abdul Mannan Bhuiyan, communications minister Nazmul Huda and state minister for LGRD and cooperatives Ziaul Haq Zia are expected to attend the programme as special guests.
The construction of the flyover will begin after the foundation stone is laid on the day, said an official of the Dhaka City Corporation.
The bridge will be completed in three years. The works required before the construction have already been completed, he said.
The delay in the flyover construction was due to the excess amount of money charged by the utility service agencies for relocation of the utility installations along the construction site.
Four utility agencies — Dhaka Electric Supply Authority, Dhaka Water Supply and Sewerage Authority, Bangladesh Telegraph and Telephone Board and Titas Gas — demanded Tk 126 crore for the relocation jobs, making the construction uncertain. They earlier claimed about Tk 25 crore for the job.
The government in February decided to begin the construction without relocating the utility installations as suggested by a committee headed by the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology vice-chancellor, Mohammad Alee Murtaza.
This decision on the construction without the relocation of the utility installations, the official said, will save the government Tk 116 crore on top of the project cost of Tk 700 crore.
The flyover will have four lanes, seven entrances and 13 ramps. The Belhasa-Acom JV will implement the flyover on a build-own-operate-transfer scheme. Belhasa will be funding the design, construction, operation and maintenance of the project during the concession period, when Belhasa will have the rights to charge and collect tolls.
The concession period will span 24 years, and the company will recover the cost from tolls taken from vehicles within the period, the official said.
This will be the third flyover in the Dhaka city and will be the longest among the three.
The first flyover, at Mohakhali, was commissioned on October 4, 2004. The 1.12km Mohakhali flyover has four lanes and two ramps.
The 1.9km Khilgoan flyover is the second flyover. It was commissioned on March 23, 2005.

http://www.newagebd.com/met.html

GULISTAN-JATRABARI FLYOVER
PM unveils plaque of Tk 700cr project
Construction expected to end in 3 years

The prime minister, Khaleda Zia, on Sunday laid the foundation stone of the 8km flyover from Gulistan to Jatrabari in Dhaka.
This is the third flyover in the city and first on a build-own-operate-transfer scheme. The flyover will be completed in three years.
The flyover will have four lanes, seven entrances and 13 ramps. The Belhasa-Acom JV will implement the flyover and it will provide Tk 670 crore for the construction. The Dhaka City Corporation will implement the project.
The concession period will span 24 years, and the company will recover the cost from tolls taken from vehicles within the period, the corporation official said. The four-lane flyover will be a breakthrough structure with state-of-the-art architecture of its own kind. It will have an electric toll system.


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A model of the Gulistan-Jatrabari flyover. Prime Minister Khaleda Zia laid the foundation stone of the flyover yesterday.

A two wheel car will need to pay Tk 5 as toll to use the flyover, auto-rickshaw Tk 10, car Tk 35, Jeep Tk 40, microbus Tk 50, pick-up Tk 75, minibus Tk 100, four-wheel truck Tk 100, bus Tk 150, truck Tk 150 and trailer Tk 200. No toll will be charged to use the at-grade road.
The foundation laying ceremony was chaired by the Dhaka mayor, Sadeque Hossain Khoka. The construction of the flyover began the same day.
Khaleda Zia, laying the foundation stone, put out a call for private sector participation for a rapid development of infrastructure. ‘Participation of private sector along with the government has now become imperative for speedy development of our infrastructures.’
The LGRD and cooperatives minister, Abdul Mannan Bhuiyan, communications minister Nazmul Huda, housing and public works minister Mirza Abbas, state minister for LGRD and cooperatives Ziaul Haque Zia, Belhasa-Acom joint venture chairman M Obaidul Karim and Belhasa International managing director Mazed Belhasa also spoke.
Among 13 ramps of the flyover, 6 ramps are provided for entry to the flyover at the New Dayaganj Road crossing (opposite the Rajdhani Super Market) for the traffic approaching from Dayaganj moving towards Gulistan, at the Tikatuli crossing for traffic from Tikatuli moving towards Jatrabari, exclusive entry for buses from the Sayedabad terminus towards Jatrabari, at the Sayedabad corssing for traffic approaching from Atish Dipankar Road moving towards Jatrabari, at the Sayedabad crossing for traffic approaching from Atish Dipanker Road moving towards Gulistan with an at-grade signalised crossing at
Sayedabad and at the Jatrabari crossing for traffic approaching from Narayanganj moving towards Sayedabad and Gulistan.
Seven exists have been proposed from flyover at the New Dayaganj Road crossing for traffic from Jatrabari moving towards Dayaganj, at the Sayedabad terminus for buses approaching from Gulistan, at Sayedabad for buses approaching from Chittagong and Narayanganj, at Sayedabad for traffic from Jatrabari moving onto Atishdipankar Road towards Khilgaon, at the Jatrabari crossing for traffic approaching from Gulistan moving towards Demra, at Jatrabari for traffic approaching from Gulistan moving towards Narayanganj and at Jatrabari for traffic approaching from Chittagong moving towards Narayanganj.
The first flyover of Bangladesh, at Mohakhali, was commissioned on October 4, 2004.
The 1.12km Mohakhali flyover was built by the Chinese firm First Metallurgical Construction Limited under the World Bank-funded Dhaka Urban Transport Project. The Roads and Highways Department implemented the project.
The Mohakhali flyover was built at a cost of about Tk 116 crore. The four-lane flyover, 17.9 metres wide, has 552 piles and 19 piers. The flyover has two ramps.
The second, 1.9km flyover, at Khilgaon, was commissioned on March 23, 2005. Local firm Kilgoan Development Cons-truction Limited built the flyover on government fund.
The Local Government Engineering Department implemented the project. Total cost of the flyover was Tk 81.75 crore.

http://www.newagebd.com/met.html#1

Few of the many upcoming buildings in Dhaka:


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Dhaka-Chittagong elevated expressway project sent to cabinet body


The Ministry of Communications has sent the $896 million Dhaka-Chittagong elevated express highway project to the cabinet committee on public procurement for approval.(Financial Express)

If approved, the ministry will float international tender to implement this expensive project that was initiated a couple of years back with the objective of making the communication between the capital and the port city faster.

A Malaysian construction company, Azimat Consortium, has submitted a proposal to construct the 270-kilometre long expressway on build, operate, and transfer (BOT) basis in June 2004.

After evaluating the proposal, the MoC sent the proposal to the Private Infrastructure Committee (PICOM) for approval last December.

Any private sector proposal to implement a project on BOT basis needs approval from the PICOM.

The Azimat Consortium has proposed for transfer of the expressway to the government after its operation for 30 years. The firm will take away the revenue earned through collection of tolls.

It has also sought tax holiday facility for the first 10 years of operation and duty free import of construction materials.

The expressway with six lanes, each 12 feet wide, will have the facility for movement of all kinds of vehicles, including the slow-moving ones.

The existing Dhaka-Chittagong highway, however, will remain open to traffic even after the construction of the expressway.

The new expresway will go through Dhaka, Narayanganj, Munshiganj, Chandpur, Laxmipur, Sonagazi, Sitakunda and Hathazari.

The existing two bridges over the rivers -- Meghna and Gumti -- will be widened to facilitate operation of the expressway.

The highway will have facilities like parking spaces, rest houses, terminals, toilets, CNG pump stations, food courts and mosques at reasonable distances.

http://www.financialexpress-bd.com/index3.asp?cnd=6/26/2006&section_id=1&newsid=29063&spcl=no

Local firm chosen to build Dhaka subway

The Ministry of Communications selected local firm Contech Limited for constructing a 52 kilometre long underground railway system in the densely populated capital and sent the proposal to the government's high-powered Private Sector Infrastructure Committee (PICOM) for final approval.

After a long meeting with the firm's Managing Director Masud Reza on Tuesday, Communications Minister Nazmul Huda gave the approval as he got satisfactory answers on some important questions about the construction method of the underground line, sources said.

"We have sent the proposal of Contech to PICOM and after their approval the company would get letter of intent (LOI) for starting work on the project," Communications Secretary Shafiqul Islam yesterday said.

As per the rules, the principal secretary of the Prime Minister's Office chairs the PICOM meeting and gives approval of a development project by a private company after a ministry forwards it.

The company was selected as it was the lowest bidder in the pre-qualification tender and the government would not go for calling tender again, the communications secretary said.

He, however, observed that the company would have to pass some more stages before going for physical construction.

The selection was given on the basis of an international tender called by Bangladesh Railway in 2002 seeking application for establishing a metro rail system in the capital, sources said.

Only two firms had participated in the bid and local firm Contech Limited was the lowest bidder as it proposed to construct the 52-kilometre underground railway at a cost of Tk 5,200 crore.

The company would construct the metro rail on build, own, operate and transfer (BOOT) basis. As per BOOT guidelines, after getting LOI the private company would prepare terms and conditions and other requirements for a formal agreement with the authorities concerned.

After signing the agreement, the authority would issue work order for implementing the project. All this formalities would have to be completed within three months after issuing LOI, says the guideline.

Earlier, the Ministry of Communications decided to go for a feasibility study and sent a proposal to the Planning Commission seeking Tk 7 crore for the study. As the Planning Commission did not respond to the proposal, the ministry later abandoned the idea.

Consequently, the communications ministry asked the local firm to submit details of its legal status, technical, management and financial capabilities for project implementation and experience and status of ownership in the proposed project.

The company submitted all the required documents and informed the ministry that MTRC of Hong Kong will work as the constructor, Sena Kalyan Sangstha, Bangladesh as financier and project manager, the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) as the leading consultant.

Hitachi of Japan will supply the equipment and JBIC will provide suppliers credit and syndicated bank loan for the project. The firm also provided authorised letters from the company concerned and some of the officials of those partner organisations met high officials of the communications ministry confirming their involvement.

If his firm finally gets the approval of PICOM the metro line would be established within a period of three years, Masud Reza said, adding that the line would be established through cut and cover method which is much less costly than the tunnel boring method.

He expects to start construction work from this winter after finishing all the formalities.

The company proposed to build six routes with double line beginning from Syedabad to Gabtoli via Mohakhali. The fare in the metro rail will be almost the same as in intra-city bus services in Dhaka.

The company sought 30 years concession time for recovering its investment.

http://www.thedailystar.net/2006/06/30/d6063001107.htm

Dhaka-Ctg Expressway
Cabinet decides on Malaysian offer today

The cabinet is going to take decision today about a foreign invested project for constructing the second national highway between Dhaka and Chittagong.

The Malaysia based Azimat Consortium last year proposed to build the six-lane expressway spending about $900 million on built, own, operate and transfer (BOOT) basis.

"The proposal of constructing the Dhaka-Chittagong expressway is on the agenda of this week's cabinet meeting and I hope it would get the nod," said a cabinet minister requesting anonymity.

The 210 km-long expressway will be set up in a different alignment from the existing Dhaka-Chittagong Highway via Narayanganj-Mirsharai and will establish a smooth and direct road link between the port city and the capital reducing the travel time to three hours from the existing 5-6 hours.

The consortium would operate the expressway equipped with necessary facilities including refuelling stations, parking space, rest houses, mosques etc. There will also be booths for collecting tolls to pay off the investment.


After operating for 30 years the expressway would be handed over to the government, according to the proposal.

Earlier, the communication ministry scrutinised the proposal and sent it to the Private Infrastructure Committee (PICOM) and later to the cabinet for final approval.

The delay in approving such an investment proposal by a Malaysian consortium was cited as one of the causes behind the hold-up in recruiting fresh manpower from Bangladesh. Malaysia has stopped employing Bangladeshis since 1997.

The Malaysian high commissioner in Dhaka has already hinted at shifting investment proposals of $1.5 billion by Malaysian companies, which have been pending for long.

In addition to the expressway construction, the Malaysian consortium also proposed to set up two power plants and invest in telecommunications sector.

However, the BNP-led four party alliance government hardly approved any of the investment proposals of the Malaysian companies, turning the relations between two countries cold, sources said.

http://www.thedailystar.net/2006/07/03/d60703011711.htm

Dhaka-Ctg expressway okayed
Rafiq Hasan

The cabinet yesterday approved the construction of a second highway between Dhaka and Chittagong with private investment.

The Malaysia-based construction company, Azimat Consortium, proposed to build the 210-kilometer highway at a cost of around $900 million. This would be the first expressway in the country with six lanes and facilities like adequate parking space, fuelling stations, rest houses and mosques at regular intervals.

The company will construct the highway on a build, own, operate and transfer (BOOT) basis. After operating for 30 years and recovering the investment through collecting toll, the expressway will be handed over to the government.

The Malaysian company proposed the investment last year and the communications ministry first scrutinised it before forwarding it to the high-powered private infrastructure committee (PICOM). The proposal was placed before the cabinet for final approval after the PICOM had passed it.

Communications Minister Nazmul Huda however told The Daily Star last night that the cabinet has approved the decision of constructing the second national highway but no particular company has been chosen. But he admitted that the company [Azimat] had qualified in pre-qualification bid.

The government will go for an international tender for building the expressway on BOOT basis by a private company, he said.

When asked, the minister said the cabinet decision came on the basis on a proposal made by the Malaysia based construction company.

The new highway will be built in different alignments from the existing highway. It will go through Narayanganj, Munshiganj, Chandpur and Mirersharai.

The expressway will reduce the journey time between Dhaka and Chittagong to three hours from the existing 6-7 hours. It will also help develop the economic corridor between the capital and the port city.

The company is expected to start the construction of the highway this year after a formal agreement signing and the work would take three years, according to sources.

The cabinet meeting yesterday also approved the draft of the Transfer of Property (amendment) Act, 2006 and Hajj Policy 2006 for smooth hajj management.

http://www.thedailystar.net/2006/07/04/d6070401011.htm

BGMEA shifts office to own complex

Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association shifts its office today to its own 16-storey building in the city’s Karwan Bazar area.
Commerce Minister Hafiz Uddin Ahmed will open the newly constructed BGMEA Building.
Interior decoration on the third and fourth floors of the building is going on to house the BGMEA office while the other floors will be rented out.
The construction work on the building started three and half years ago on a two-bigha plot purchased by the BGMEA from Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) at a cost of over Tk 5 crore in September 1998. But an amount of Tk 2.62 crore still remains unpaid.
The BGMEA leaders assured the Commerce Minister of clearing the dues by August next as he directed the BGMEA on June 21 to pay the remaining amount.

http://www.newagebd.com/busi.html

PHASE II CIRCULAR WATERWAY
Feasibility study begins much behind schedule

The feasibility study for the 40.5-kilometre Phase II of the circular waterway from Ashulia to Kanchpur via Tongi began on June 1, 11 months behind the schedule of the beginning of the waterway works.
The Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority and the Local Government and Engineering Department, implementing agencies of the waterway, could not start the Phase II works in July, 2005 as the project did not get approval of the Executive Committee for National Economic Council, BIWTA sources said.
The ECNEC is yet to approve the project and we have to wait for the approval to start the works despite initiation of the feasibility study, a BIWTA official said adding the fund for the feasibility study, Tk 25 lakh, was, however, given by the government.
The project is likely to be placed at the next ECNEC meeting, which is likely to be held on July 30, he said.
The Bureau of Research Testing and Consultation of the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology is conducting the study, which will take six months to be completed, the sources said.
The Japan Debt Cancellation Fund will finance the project, which will take about three years to be completed, and it had already pumped into Tk 30 crore in the past fiscal, but BIWTC had to return it as it failed to get the ECNEC approval.
The cost of the two-phase project was earmarked at Tk 294 crore, which was revised at Tk 141.33 crore and the Planning Commission recently went on the second revision fixing the cost at Tk 103 crore.
The recovery works of the Rampura, Meradiya and Gobindopur canals and some road construction works of the LGED have been dropped from the second phase due to the latest cost rationalisation. BIWTA will do works of Tk 51 crore while the LGED of TK 52 crore, the sources said.
The 29.5-kilometre circular waterway of first phase from Sadarghat to Ashulia was opened on March 3, 2005.
On completion of both the phases, the total circular waterway will stand at 110 kilometres.
The works of the BIWTA include widening scopes for transportation, improving navigation of the River Turag, Tongi Canal and River Balu.

http://www.newagebd.com/met.html

Eastern Bypass
Revised feasibility report finalised

Authorities finalised the revised feasibility report on the Dhaka Eastern Bypass, raising hopes that the 'second most important project in terms of national priority' may now be started, Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB) sources said.
Now the 25-member inter-ministerial coordination committee formed six months ago, headed by the finance and planning minister, will have to convene a meeting and finalise the sources of Tk 2,475 crore required for it.

Officially known as Dhaka Integrated Flood Control Embankment Cum Eastern Bypass Road Multipurpose Project, it will encompass 124 square km area by a 30 km long embankment from Tongi Railway Bridge in the north to Kanchpur Bridge in the southwest of the capital. Seven ministries, with the water resources ministry being the head, would implement the project. A UK-based consultant and its local associates have updated all previous studies on the project.

An inter-ministerial meeting in July, 2005 classified the project as the second most important project in terms of national priority to reduce poverty. The whole concept of the project is to protect the people of this area from recurring floods, so that their living conditions could improve.

Meanwhile, land developers have so far defied all bans and continued to fill up vast areas, earmarked in the city's master plan for flood retention plains. The lack of government initiative to save natural canals and water retention ponds in the 124 square kilometres has raised fears that the area would become "uninhabitable" as waste and rain water generated in the protected area would create permanent water logging.

Most of the low-lying lands in the bypass project area are now under the grips of private housing companies and individuals. From Khilkhet to Kanchpur along the river Balu massive signboards have been installed stating the start of mega residential projects.

Official sources in the BWDB said in a meeting held in October 2004, Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (Rajuk) was asked to submit the Detail Area Plan (DAP) for the entire area within four months. They said with the DAP it would have been easier for the government to implement a planned urbanisation in the area, which is going to be added to the city, as soon as the embankment is in place.

"Until today we have not received the DAP from Rajuk, they only offered us a general map of the area," said an official source.

Experts at the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (Buet) said unless the government moves in immediately to demarcate the canals and flood retention ponds, the entire eastern fringe of the city is set to be 'an environmental nightmare' as soon as the embankment-cum-bypass is completed.

http://www.thedailystar.net/2006/07/26/d60726012112.htm

25-storey Press Club media complex okayed

The design of the 25-storey media complex of National Press Club (NPC) was unanimously approved yesterday at the Extraordinary General Meeting of the club members.

General Secretary Shawkat Mahmud presented the concept paper of the media complex to the members at the meeting, presided over by club President Reazuddin Ahmed.

Kazi Arif Ahmed of Dexterous Consultants Limited (Dicon), the designer organisation, explained the design of the media complex in detail.

"After the construction of the media centre, this will be the greatest architectural design of the country," Arif Ahmed said.

The media complex will comprise open stage, plaza, theatre hall, big space auditorium, banquet hall, two swimming pools, a number of seminar rooms, mosque, floor space for newspapers and other media, floor for different national and international establishments including banks, modern restaurants, and various types of other facilities.

Tk 120 crore will be needed to complete the proposed media complex, a press release of the Club said. Different suggestions and advises were given by the members for funding for building the media complex.

The daily Jugantor Editor Golam Sarwar described the proposed design of the media complex as 'excellent'.

NTV Chairman Alhaj Mosaddeq Ali, a new member of the club, described 'Dicon' as one of the best-known organisations in the country.

He hoped that the Press Club will hold its dignity and tradition by building this media complex.

Fazlul Karim, Sheikh Rakib Uddin, Ershad Mojumder, Swapan Saha, MA Aziz, Abbas Uddin Absari, Khondaker Golam Azad, Amirul Islam Kagoji, Altaf Mahmud, Enamul Haque, Manzurul Ahsan Bulbul, Subash Chandra Badal, Shamsul Haque Durrani, Omar Farooq, Monwar Ahmed, Rasheed Ahmed and Salahuddin Ahmed took part in the discussions.

http://www.thedailystar.net/2006/08/04/d60804060880.htm

NCC Bank, Dexterous sign accord

NCC Bank Ltd. has signed a contract with Dexterous Consultants Ltd for design and supervision of construction of proposed multistoried NCC Bank Bhaban which will begins this year at Motijheel, Dhaka, says a Press release.

Md. Nurul Amin, Managing Director of NCC Bank Ltd and Abu Hasan Md. Eunus, Chairman of Dexterous Consultants Ltd. signed the contract on behalf of their respective organisations at a simple ceremony in the city re*cently.

Principal, M Wazhiullah Bhuiyan, Chairman and S.M. Abu Mohsin, Vice Chairman, Directors and Sponsors of the bank archi*tect Qazi Arif, Managing Director, Dexterous Consultants Ltd. and senior executives of the bank were also present on the occasion.

http://www.bangladeshobserveronline.com/new/2006/03/30/economic.htm

Not muh information but here's a rendering of the under construction Jamuna Future Park.

The Jamuna Future Park, situated in Dhaka, Bangladesh, is a mega-shopping complex cum commercial centre with a total floor area of about 4.20 million square feet and has three levels of basement carpark to provide about 2,800 parking bays.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v128/Tarik/jamunafuturepark.jpg
rendering of the Jamuna Future Park

http://www.yuanda.com.cn/eBusiness/en/product_detail.asp?catalogid=2&productid=156

Dunham-Bush Industries of Malaysia has Jamuna shopping mall contract.
http://www.dunham-bush.com.my/pressrelease.htm

Tmac,thank you so much for sharing this with us,i have been looking for this for a long time.

Tmac,thank you so much for sharing this with us,i have been looking for this for a long time.

ya we all are awaiting this project's completion. Dhaka is shining man. Nice mega projects and they are all under construction.

Thai FM due today-Elevated Expressway may be on agenda


Sunday August 06 2006 08:40:56 AM BDT


Thailand Foreign Minister Dr. Kantahi Suphamongkhon will arrive Dhaka today (Sunday) on a two-day official visit.Besides holding bilateral talks, Dr. Suphamongkhon and his Bangladesh counterpart (News Today)

M. Morshed Khan will inaugurate the Thai Embassy’s New Chancery at 18-20 Madhani Avenue, Baridhara today.

Trade and investment would dominate the bilateral discussion. Thailand earlier offered 84 items for duty-free access to its market. Bangladesh would seek more duty-free access of Bangladeshi products to Thai market.

From the investment side, the much publicized Dhaka Elevated Expressway project would come up for discussion. During the visit of former Thai Prime Minister to Bangladesh in August 2002, Thailand expressed interest to provide assistance for construction of the elevated expressway in the city for reduction of traffic jam and Bangladesh Prime Minister Khaleda Zia welcomed the Thai Prime Minister’s proposal.

At the instruction of the Thai government, the Ital-Thai Development Private Company Ltd and Thai Engineering Consultant Company Ltd carried out initial survey and proposed to build a 13-km elevated expressway with an estimated cost of US$2000 million.

The project could not proceed because of differences in opinion between the communications ministry and the Dhaka City Corporation (DCC). The DCC proposed to develop a fly-over from Jatrabari to Gulistan, which is under the command area of the elevated expressway.

The government, however, decided to go-ahead with the DCC project. An agreement was also signed with a foreign firm to build the fly-over.

But the Thai government was annoyed with Bangladesh government’s decision, which was communicated to the Dhaka authorities through diplomatic channel. Later on the government decided to develop the expressway by updating the project. It was decided to include old airport road (up to Kamal Attaturk Avenue bypassing Mohakhali Flyover) at one end and 2nd Buriganga Bridge on the other excluding the Jatrabari-Gulistan flyover.

The government formed a task force and the Thai government formed a technical team for discussion and finalization of the proposed project. The first meeting of the task force and the technical team was held in June 2005

http://www.bangladesh-web.com/view.php?hidDate=2006-08-07&hidType=TOP&hidRecord=0000000000000000121260

Not muh information but here's a rendering of the under construction Jamuna Future Park.

The Jamuna Future Park, situated in Dhaka, Bangladesh, is a mega-shopping complex cum commercial centre with a total floor area of about 4.20 million square feet and has three levels of basement carpark to provide about 2,800 parking bays.

http://www.yuanda.com.cn/eBusiness/product_images/b/en_b_2_156.jpg
rendering of the Jamuna Future Park

http://www.yuanda.com.cn/eBusiness/en/product_detail.asp?catalogid=2&productid=156

Dunham-Bush Industries of Malaysia has Jamuna shopping mall contract.
http://www.dunham-bush.com.my/pressrelease.htm

construction photos of the Jamuna Future Park - taken by mirzazeehan about a year ago.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v128/Tarik/Tarik2/Tarik3/Tarik4/jamunafuturepark7.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v128/Tarik/Tarik2/Tarik3/Tarik4/jamunafuturepark6.jpg

here's a google earth shot of the under construction Jamuna Future Park. It looks so massive!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v193/Bangladesh/bangladesh1/Bangladesh2/jamunafuturepark.jpg

Not muh information but here's a rendering of the under construction Jamuna Future Park.

The Jamuna Future Park, situated in Dhaka, Bangladesh, is a mega-shopping complex cum commercial centre with a total floor area of about 4.20 million square feet and has three levels of basement carpark to provide about 2,800 parking bays.

http://www.yuanda.com.cn/eBusiness/product_images/b/en_b_2_156.jpg
rendering of the Jamuna Future Park

http://www.yuanda.com.cn/eBusiness/en/product_detail.asp?catalogid=2&productid=156

Dunham-Bush Industries of Malaysia has Jamuna shopping mall contract.
http://www.dunham-bush.com.my/pressrelease.htm

Sweet, it looks like Bangladesh's retail sector is getting ready to enter the big leagues.

Guys, follow this mega-mall up with a 300m+ skyscraper, preferrably in Dhaka (where else?).

Mirza, it's near Gulshan market 2.

update on the 26 storey gulshan centre point building.

it shall not be near the gulshan 2 market. it's actually behind Alam Market near the Gulshan 2 circle, beside the new Delta Life Insurance building that is currently under construction.

Furthermore, it shall not be constructed by Bashundhara.

update on the 26 storey gulshan centre point building.

it shall not be near the gulshan 2 market. it's actually behind Alam Market near the Gulshan 2 circle, beside the new Delta Life Insurance building that is currently under construction.

Furthermore, it shall not be constructed by Bashundhara.

thanks for the update. How do you know all that?

iamthedevil,will it be beside the main road or are you talking about the area where Faisal tower has been built?

the construction of the 8 km Gulistan-Jatrabari flyover is going on full swing.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v193/Bangladesh/bangladesh1/Bangladesh2/gulistan-jatrabariflyover.jpg

^^the traffic is bad...

Bhasha Andolan Museum
A new dimension to history of Language Movement

A Bhasha Andolan (language movement) Museum to promote the spirit of the time and bridge the past and the future spirit of the movement is likely to be set up soon. Construction of the museum is expected to start in January 2007.

A Project Office and Research Centre has been already been set up at 'Rastravasha Bhaban', on Road Number-10 in Dhanmondi from where the work of museum will begin.

"We have no permanent location at present, but will start work temporarily from here," said Peari Mahbub, wife of late Kazi Golam Mahbub, convenor to the Language Movement 1952 adding that they are expecting to get land to construct a permanent museum building.

The research centre has been established with a view to preserve the historical and other information of the Mother Language Day as well as to help research fellows on the topic both at home and abroad.

"The research centre will comprise of a rich library, archives, documentaries, diaries and the written events of the language movement," said MR Mahbub, member secretary and director of the museum.

Officials of the Research Centre said that the work of the proposed museum are in six divisions research, exhibition, documentation, computer and film, publications and library, and administrative.

"We have already collected many documents for the 'Research Centre' and will publish them after a few touches are done," said MR Mahbub adding that they are on the verge of publishing an encyclopaedia on language movement comprising of 2,500 pages.

"We have published five research papers in this regard. The exhibition division is collecting memorandums, speeches, diaries of the individual language movement martyrs and the clothes they wore during the language movement," he said.

Various manuscripts and newspaper clippings of that time will also be collected. A non-resident Bangladeshi, Dr. Ziauddin Ahmed, has already completed a 20-minute documentary in this connection, Mahbub added.

Thousands of rare books collected on the language movement will be compiled systematically for easy access.

Peari Mahbub is the chief executive of the museum that was founded by M A Barnik (researcher to the language movement), Prof. M R Mahbub, Dr Momtaz Uddin Ahmed, Prof. Tarik Ziaur Rahman, AHM Bazlur Rahman, Dr. MA Muktadir and Muhammad Delwar.

On August 5, an opinion exchange meeting took place at the Research Centre, with the founding personalities in attendance. Dr. Momtaz Uddin Ahmed gave the inauguration speech.

He said: "A Bhasa Andolan Museum is necessary for the new generation to learn more about the language movement and at the same time it will give foreigners an opportunity to familiarise themselves with this great movement."

Peari Mahbub said: "My husband initiated the work and I want to finish it. The assistance of people at different levels of the society is much needed." She requested donors to come forward to make it successful.

To run the museum smoothly, the organisers need financial support from either local or foreign organisations.

The contribution of the donors will also be displayed on a plaque at the museum board and thus all donors will be remembered always, Peari Mahbub added.

The museum was initiated in 1989. It then set up an office firstly in Lalmatia and then at the Dhanmondi hawkers market.

Finally Peari Mahbub allotted 'Rastravasha Bhaban' for the project office and research centre in March 2006.

Accordingly, the 'Bhasa Andolan Museum' was reactiviated and registered on May 7, 2006 having government serial number, S-5599.

http://www.thedailystar.net/2006/08/13/d608132505139.htm

Ahsanullah University of Science and Technology (AUST) to move to its new campus next year

Ahsanullah University of Science and Technology (AUST) will move to its own new campus in the next year. This will be the most modern campus of a higher educational institution in the country with all necessary facilities for the students and faculty members. Kazi Rafiqul Alam, President of Dhaka Ahsani Mission said this at the farewell ceremony of the 10th batch of students of Department of EEE of AUST as chief guest. The fucntion was held on 10 August 2006 in the audito*rium of Institute of Engineers, Dhaka, says a Press release.

Addressing the passing out stu*dents he said that this is the proper time for them to establish themselves in a competitive world. He advised them to take up proactive role for building up a corruption free country. Md. Abul Hossain, Departmental Head of EEE presided over the function which was attended by Ataus Samad, Advisor Editor of The Daily Amar Desh as special guest. The function was rounded up with concert rendered by the renowned band Dalchhoot.

The main campus of the University is being built on a 5-bigha plot of land in Tejgaon Industrial Area which is located at the central area of Dhaka and the area is due to change from an industrial to a commercial land use in the years ahead. The main building will have sufficient space for accommodation for all kinds of facilities to be needed for the University.

Some Model View of the Main Campus

Newly constructed Academic Building of Ahsanullah University of Science and Technology at Plot No. 141 & 142, Tejgaon I/A, Dhaka -1215. It is expected that the University will be shifted to this new Building from its present site by March, 2007.

http://www.aust.edu/nimages/main_campus2.jpg

http://www.aust.edu/nimages/main_campus3.jpg

http://www.aust.edu/nimages/main_campus7.jpg http://www.aust.edu/nimages/main_campus6.jpg

http://www.aust.edu/nimages/main_campus5.jpg

http://www.aust.edu/nimages/main_campus4.jpg

http://www.aust.edu/nimages/main_campus.jpg

http://www.aust.edu/index.htm

20-year strategic transport plan prepared for city
4 phases of implementation will involve Tk 40,600 crore

The government prepared a 20-year strategic transport plan involving Tk 40,600 crore for the Dhaka city and its surroundings to ensure safe and sustainable multimodal transport system integrating road, railway and waterway, said Dhaka City Corporation officials.

The other areas the plan will cover are Narsingdi, Narayanganj, Keraniganj, Savar, Manikganj and Gazipur, the officials said.

The strategic transport plant (2004–2024) developed under the Dhaka Transport Coordination Board of the corporation has been sent to the Ministry of Communications for cabinet approval.

The plan is projected to be implemented in four phases, said an official of the transport coordination board at Nagar Bhaban on Sunday.

A detailed study will be done in accordance with the plan to take up scores of projects to develop the existing and new transport infrastructures in view of 20 years, the board officials said.

The main goals of plan are to develop transport infrastructures, smooth road network between the east and the west of Dhaka, smooth inter-city communications, interlinking of routes of buses, trains and water vessels and elevated expressway and building new roads and widen the existing roads, the officials said.

Experts suggested road-based development for bus rapid transit that includes introduction of large pubic buses, mass rapid transit or metro rail, either surface or underground.

The circular waterway has also been suggested in the transport plan, the board officials said.

An urban transport policy and institutional strengthening and capacity-building of related departments have also been added to the plan.

The transport plan also stressed the need for proper traffic management, ensuring pedestrian safety and security and making the roads and transport safe for women and suitable for people with disabilities, the board officials said.

A board official, quoting the assessment of the transport plan, said the existing transport can use only 30 to 50 per cent space of the total road space in Dhaka because of illegal car parking and road space occupation by vendors.

Helal Uddin Nagori, adviser to the institutional support and linkage of the coordination board, told New Age the strategic plan is now with the communications for the approval of the cabinet division.

The United States-based Louis Berger Group Inc prepared the strategic transport plan after a nine-month study involving Tk 10 crore, funded by the World Bank. The study project was taken up in 2004 and it ended towards the end of 2005.

The Louis Berger Group submitted the transport plan study to the transport coordination board on January 16, 2006, the officials said.

The government and foreign agencies will fund the implementation of the transport plan, the officials said.

http://www.newagebd.com/met.html

Multi-storied car parking building opens Aug 28

Dhaka's first multi-storied car parking building, owned by Sadharan Bima Corporation (SBC), opens on August 28.

"We have already completed construction of the first eight floors of the 20-storied car parking-cum-commercial building at Dilkusha, the business hub of the city, and the finishing touch is being added ahead of the formal opening scheduled for August 28," a source concerned told the FE Tuesday.

A total of 550 cars at a time in a single day will be accommodated, with 350 cars from first to fifth floors and 200 cars on the basement of the multi-storied building located on 473,928 square feet area to ease traffic congestion in the busy commercial hub to a large extent.

There will be eight high-speed lifts to facilitate the car parking operation of the multi-storied building constructed by Kusholi Nirman Ltd, a real estate developer, the source said.

The rent against parking of each car will be fixed very soon. The construction of the building began on July 3, 2004.

In absence of car parking facilities in Motijheel and adjoining areas, cars are parked haphazardly along the roads creating traffic congestion in the area.
According to a study of the Dhaka Transport Coordination Board (DTCB), around 2,000 vehicles come daily to Motijheel and nearly 800 vehicles are parked on the main road in absence of the parking facilities in the area.

Apart from the SBC Tower, two more car parking-cum-commercial buildings, owned by Dhaka City Corporation (DCC), are being constructed at Motijheel and Dilkusha in the city.

http://www.financialexpress-bd.com/index3.asp?cnd=8/16/2006&section_id=1&newsid=34511&spcl=no

Singapore assistance for high-tech park project assured

Singapore has assured of all assistance for investment in a high-tech park in Bangladesh, which is being built as a hub of hi-tech industries, reports UNB.

Singapore's Consul in Bangladesh Manik T Binwani gave the assurance when he called on Science and ICT Minister Abdul Mayeen Khan at his office in the city Thursday.

During the meeting, the two sides discussed the high-tech project at Kaliakoir in Gazipur and the requisite investment.

"Being well acquainted with the investment related matters, Manik T Binwani, on behalf of the Singapore government, assured the minister of all assistance in investment of the project," said an official release.

Secretary of the ministry, joint secretary (STA), and director and concerned officials of the project were also present at the meeting

http://www.financialexpress-bd.com/index3.asp?cnd=8/18/2006&section_id=7&newsid=34656&spcl=no

Wage Earner's Housing Complex AT NORTH BARIDHARA, GULSHAN, DHAKA

http://www.bmet.org.bd/housing/index.html

Bureau of Manpower, Employment & Training under the Ministry of Expatriates' Welfare & Overseas Employment, Govt, of the People's Republic of Bangladesh has taken up this Housing project at North Baridhara, Gulshan, Dhaka, with a view to solving the accommodation problem of the Wage Earners, in the metropolitan area. This scheme has been launched keeping in mind the financial capabilities and social status of the expatriate Bangladeshis. Four categories of apartments with floor area of more or less1800 sft, 1500 sft, 1200 sft and 1000 sft have been designed. Baridhara is prestigious residential area. So this area has been selected for the Wage Earner's Housing Complex.

Five 15 storied and one 9 storied buildings will be constructed with 2 basements each. These buildings will be constructed with high strength RCC frame structures on pile and raft foundation having provision of earthquake and cyclone proof design.

http://www.bmet.org.bd/housing/totalview/frontview.jpg http://www.bmet.org.bd/housing/totalview/topview.jpg

http://www.bmet.org.bd/housing/totalview/Block2_outview.jpg http://www.bmet.org.bd/housing/totalview/Block3&5_view.jpg

http://www.bmet.org.bd/housing/totalview/Block1_view.jpg

http://www.bmet.org.bd/housing/totalview/Block4_view.jpg http://www.bmet.org.bd/housing/totalview/Block6-_view.jpg

http://www.bmet.org.bd/housing/totalview/location.jpg

Govt plans to build 5,000 flats for
lower, middle income groups
Helemul Alam

The government plans to construct 5,000 flats in 125 buildings at Mirpur in the city for the middle and lower income group people, official sources said.
The buildings will be constructed involving Tk 784.84 crore under a project, styled ‘Development of residential plots for middle and lower income groups of people in Mirpur, Section-9’.
The National Housing Authority will implement the project on 92.40 acres of land, the sources said, adding that 500 of the flats would be kept reserved for the official and employees of the authority and the housing and public works ministry.
The price of the flats and way to select the allottees are yet to be settled, but the allottees will have to pay it within two years of the allotment, an official said.
A draft of the project was sent to the Planning Commission, but the commission sent it back asking the implementing agency to submit a revised proposal for construction of the flats and land development from the agency’s own fund.
Officials said the draft proposal sought financial assistance from the government for land development.
‘We will submit the revised project proposal soon,’ an official of the Housing Authority said and expressed hope that the project would get a positive nod from the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council, the highest national policy making body headed by the prime minister, before the expiry of the present government’s tenure scheduled in October.
The project area of the 125 eleven-storey buildings is a portion of the 168 acres of land that the 1995 government planned to distribute as plots, he added saying that the decision was, however, revised at an inter-ministerial meeting on July 31, 2005. The authorities are planning to construct 1,160 flats, each 1,200 square feet, in 29 ‘C’ type buildings, 2000 flats, each 1,000 square feet, in 50 ‘B’ type buildings and 1,840 flats, each 800 square feet, in 46 ‘A’ type buildings.
The envisaged project will have all civic facilities, including school, college, lake, park, fire service and civil defense, community centre, mosque, health centre, shopping complex, kitchen market and post office. All the buildings will be designed with car parking spaces, the officials said.

http://www.newagebd.com/met.html#1

Press Club 25-Storey Media Complex
An architectural landmark in the city

National Press Club authorities have initiated the building of a 25-storey media complex on its own premises that could be recognised as an architectural landmark, with a monumental dimension and stand as a symbol of local heritage.

Club members, at an extraordinary general meeting on August 3, unanimously approved the design of the complex that was presented through multimedia.

The project is estimated at a cost of about Tk 120 crore for completion.

Press Club members said that they want to start work on the complex within four months.

"We have already submitted the papers seeking government permission and have requested various banks and financial organisation for funds for the project," said Shawkat Mahmud, general secretary, National Press Club.

According to the project proposal, the complex will comprise an open stage, plaza, theatre hall, large spacious auditorium, banquet hall, two swimming pools, a number of seminar rooms, mosque, floor space for newspaper and other media institutions, one floor for different national and international establishments including banks, restaurants, and other facilities.

Kazi Arif Ahmed, architect, Dexterous Consultants Limited (Dicon), the leading architectural firm in the country, explained the media complex design in detail.

"The media complex, after construction will be the greatest architectural design in the country," Ahmed said.

"The open plaza with a monumental dimension will act as a conference room for the general public as well as the president or other government institutions for meetings and other gatherings -- a facility prominent in the western world," said Ahmed.

National Press Club president Reazuddin Ahmed said: "As this monumental building will be constructed at the very pivot of the city, it will stand as an architectural landmark."

"As we are well aware that public gatherings and functions cause traffic congestions, the complex has been designed in a manner that such chaos will not be created," the president said.

The complex can also be used for various activities that will bring about greater interaction among people.

The tower and entrance will be attractive and the entrance especially will be unique giving it the touch of architectural flavour.

"The outer walls will be constructed of glass panes as the main element of the complex, making it transparent and more attractive to the public," Ahmed further said.

"The entrance will consist of a lobby that will coordinate the functions taking place in the plaza," he added.

http://www.thedailystar.net/2006/08/21/d608212506163.htm

Early execution of mono rail system urged
By Staff Reporter
Sat, 26 Aug 2006, 10:49:00

The local representatives of the Transco Holdings, Inc of USA, the financier of the Elevated Mass Rail Transit System (EMRTS) for Dhaka city, urged the government for an early implementation of the project.

This was urged at a press conference organised by Universal Machinery Equipment (UME), the local representative of the company, at the Dhaka Reporters Unity in the city yesterday.

Mahbubuddin Ahmed, Bir Bikram, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the UME, read out the written statement.

Mahbubuddin said, during the period of the previous government, the Ministry of Communications prepared the proposal of the project concept papers. Provisions were made for the establishment of the Elevated Monorail System in five different routes in Dhaka Metropolitan area with all necessary foreign investment and supplies, operation of the system for a specific period of time by the concerned investor-supplier and then handing over the project to the local authority.

Transco Holding, Inc submitted its bid for establishment of the monorail system with an investment of US dollar 844 million (Tk 4665 crore). The proposal included establishment of 51 kilometres double-line monorail, supply of 176 automatic rolling stocks- each with the capacity of 150 passangers-30 seats and 120 standing at 5 persons per square yard, stations with modern amenities, most modern train control system which facilitate carrying of 12,240 passengers per hour in each direction.

Recently, Transco Holdings, Inc sent a legal notice to the Ministry of Communications prior to suing the government at the International Court for compensation. Unnecessarily, the Bangladesh government will have to pay compensation of millions of dollars to Transo, if it is compelled to take the matter to the international court, he also added.

Mahbubuddin further said that no feasibility study has been made for an alternative of Elevated Monorail System submitted by the Ministry, adding that no other system would be feasible and discussion on it would be a waste of time.

http://nation.ittefaq.com/artman/publish/article_30302.shtml

Facelift for Osmani Udyan

The project, undertaken by the Dhaka City Corporation to modernise the Osmani Udyan by planting more and environment friendly trees, is being implemented at a slow pace.
The main objective of the project is to give the park, having an area of 23.14 acres of land, a decent look so that people can pass their leisure there as they do in Osmani Udyan and Dhanmondi Lake.
The total cost of the project has not been estimated yet, but DCC sources said already 3.74 crore taka was spent in the first phase.
DCC has already completed first phase of groundwork that include construction of boundary wall, flowerbed, artificial lake, walkways along the boundary wall, plantation of trees and garden in the park.
Located in the heart of the city, the park is in between Bangladesh Secretariat, country’s civil administrative headquarters, and Dhaka City Corporation, office of Dhaka’s Mayor.
Till recent past the Osmani Udyan was in a sorry state as anti-social elements loitered there almost round the clock and because of such menace people did not visit the park.
Still a large number of floating people live inside the park. The beautification project is split into two phases.
In this regard, DCC has formed the Osmani Udyan Management Committee with Professor Serajul Islam Chowdhury, an educationist and environmentalist, as its head. He formally inaugurated the programme by unveiling a plaque.
An official of the DCC said the corporation would plant at least 1000 saplings inside the new modern park as part of the beautification work.
A visitor at the Osmani Udyan on Thursday said environment is the essential part of life and as human beings we need fresh air, environment and other facilities for living in the city.
As per the DCC’s decision, common people supported the initiative of the renovation of the Osmani Udyan for the next generation.
The DCC will spend at about Tk. 3.50 crore for the second phase work that includes renovation and development of the lake, construction of inner walkways, setting up a small scale non-mechanised children’s park and benches for visitors and construction of 11 fountains bearing resemblance of 11 sectors of the war of independence.
A member of the Osmani Udyan Technical Committee, Chairman of Architecture Department of Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET), Professor Nizamuddin Ahmed told The News Today that about 650 trees out of 1,100 of the Udyan were felled under the programme for their detrimental impact on human body and environment.
About 600 wood and fruit-bearing trees will be planted at the same place under the programme, he added.
President of the Technical Committee Professor Serajul Islam Chowdhury praised the DCC initiative and said the Udyan with the implementation of the programme would be an ideal park where the city dwellers would be able to breath with ease.
He urged the city dwellers to join the Udyan management committee and lend financial support for its development activities.
Leaders of different environmental organisations including Green Voice and Bangladesh Paribesh Andolon also praised the decision of the DCC to renovate the historical green park in the city.
An official of the DCC said the corporation would plant at least 1000 trees inside the new modern park, as part of beautification work.

http://www.newstoday-bd.com/frontpage.asp?newsdate=8/25/2006#617

DCC to give facelift to Shishu Park

As the Dhaka Shishu Park is fast losing out to its private rivals, the Dhaka City Corporation (DCC) has initiated a move to modernize it and help restore its past glory.
The DCC, entrusted with the responsibility of the park maintenance, is currently moving ahead with a plan to give a facelift to the amusement park involving the private sector.
"We're going to modernise the Shishu Park. And private entrepreneurs will be encouraged to renovate the park with their investments and operate the same for a certain period," DCC Mayor Sadeq Hossain Khoka said.
"We've already forwarded a proposal for modernisng the park. A study is being conducted to chart out a roadmap for handing it over to the private operators," the DCC chief told the FE Wednesday without elaborating.
The seemingly hasty move to inject a new life into the Shishu Park, the country's first amusement centre for children, came in the wake of a recent fatal accident that claimed the life of a visitor.
The modernisation plan illustrates a belated acknowledgement of the DCC's role in providing civic amenities to the people of the capital, one of the fastest-growing mega cities of the world.
The number of visitors at Shishu Park is on a gradual path of decline, thanks mainly to the fierce competition from a host of rivals, including Fantasy Kingdom, Nandan Park and Wonderlands--some of which are located on the outskirts of the city.
The private amusement parks offer modern facilities and rides, thus attracting kids from even the affluent segment of the society.
By contrast, Dhaka Shishu Park is still operating with a few old rides and a limited space.
But it remains to be seen whether the modernisation plan will make any difference with the Shishu Park, located in the heart of the city, in near future.
DCC officials said, in addition to the renovation work for the park, private investors will provide the state-of-the-art facilities, including new rides and equipment, to make it more attractive to the children.
The Shishu Park, built on 12 acres of land, will be modernised on Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) basis and the private operator will run it for a certain period before handing over its ownership to the DCC, official sources at the DCC said.
The DCC has entrusted the Infrastructure Investment Facilitation Centre (IIFC), a public sector consulting firm, with the responsibility of carrying out a study on the proposed modernisation plan.
"We're carrying out a feasibility study on the proposed modernisation plan. Our team is working out a plan for the park to enable it to compete with private amusement parks," IIFC Chief executive officer Nazrul Islam told the FE.
"The park will be handed over to the private operators for a certain period… All things will be done in accordance with the Private Infrastructure Guidelines," Islam added.
They will also try to attract investors through competitive bidding, IIFC sources said.
The items that are now available with the Shishu Park include the merry-go-round, new trabant, wonder wheel, benkino train, roller skating, trampoline, battery car, chair tower, and flower cup ride which were installed by the Japanese technicians in 1979 with a warranty period of 10 years.
DCC sources said the warranty period of eight amusement rides at the park expired some 15 years ago, but no initiative was taken to replace those.
According to official figures, the daily arrival of visitors to the park hovers between 5000 and 5500, making it one of the busiest parks in the city.
Sources said the DCC earns Tk 20 million a year from the park as tolls.
Officials of DCC acknowledged that no plan to renovate the park had been materialised during two and a half decades because of the sheer negligence of the authorities concerned.
The officials also blamed the paucity of funds and budgetary allocations for the delay in modernising the park.
The Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation (BPC) built Shishu Park way back in 1979 and handed it over to the DCC for maintenance in 1983.

http://www.financialexpress-bd.com/index3.asp?cnd=8/26/2006&section_id=1&newsid=35557&spcl=no

PM inaugurates 20-storied Sadharan Bima Tower

Prime Minister Khaleda Zia yesterday inaugurated the 20-storied Sadharan Bima Tower with huge car parking facilities and United Hospital Limited, a modern private hospital, in the city.

Sadharan Bima Tower, a commercial building in Dilkusha Commercial Area, has parking facilities for around 545 vehicles at a time on eight floors of the building.

This the first government-sponsored big car parking lot, which is likely to reduce traffic congestion in the busy Motijheel-Dilkusha Commercial area.

Communications Minister Nazmul Huda, Housing and Public Works Minister Mirza Abbas, Dhaka City Mayor Sadeque Hossain Khoka and Advisor to the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs Barkatullah Bulu were present.

Sadharan Bima Managing Director Humayun Kabir briefed the prime minister about the project.

Earlier, the prime minister inaugurated the 448-bed United Hospital Limited at Gulshan-2 in the city.

This is one of the biggest hospitals in private sector in the country, jointly built by the United Group of Bangladesh and KPJ Health Care Berhad of Malaysia.

The prime minister went round the different sections of the hospitals.

Information Minister M Shamsul Islam, Dhaka City Mayor Sadeque Hossain Khoka, State Minister for Health and Family Welfare Mizanur Rahman Sinha and State Minister for Shipping Kamrul Islam were present.

http://www.thedailystar.net/2006/08/25/d60825012615.htm

United Hospital inaugurated

Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia inaugurated United Hospital Limited, a modern 450-bed private hospital, in the city on Thursday.

The hospital was jointly built by the United Group of Bangladesh and KPJ Health Care Berhad of Malaysia. It is situated at Plot No 15, Road No 71, Gulshan 2, Dhaka.

Prime Minister offered munajat after unveiling the plaque of the hospital and visited different sections.

The hospital has 11 operation theaters to treat patients of general surgery, cardio-thoracic and vascular surgery, orthopedics, neuro-surgery, gynecology and obstetrics, urology, ophthalmology, ENT, pediatric surgery and plastic surgery.

United Hospital is an eight-storey two level basement, multidisciplinary hospital built on three acres of land beside Gulshan Lake. The cost of the project is about US dollar 35 million.

United Group, the majority shareholder of this project, is a diversified business entity in Bangladesh started its journey in 1978.

They are privileged to be first developer and part owner of an Independent Power Plant (IPP) in Bangladesh named Khulna Power Company Limited. They have also a private university named United International University at Satmasjid Road, Dhaka.

It will open OPD (Out Patient Department) on August 27 and admission will start from September 10, 2006.

Information Minister M Shamsul Islam, Dhaka City Mayor Sadeq Hossain Khoka, State Minister for Health and Family Welfare Mizanur Rahman Sinha and State Minister for Shipping Kamrul Islam were present on the programme.

http://www.newstoday-bd.com/metropolis.asp?newsdate=8/25/2006#218

Phase I Osmani Udyan beautification project almost complete

The Phase I modernisation and beautification works of Osmany Udyan excepting for some portion of the walkway has been completed, sources at the Dhaka City Corporation said.

The walkway could not be completed as a temporary mosque has been built on a land covering some portion of the walkway to facilitate development of Golapshah shrine mosque, said the corporation’s Zone 5 executive engineer, Abul Hasnat.

He said the corporation was taking preparations to start the Phase II works that include extension of the walkway, construction of an internal drainage system, lighting in the park, set up light structures for children’s amusement and land development.

There will also have an arena in the park for the women for their taking rest and doing exercise, Hasnat added saying ‘A proposal for the Phase II works will be submitted soon to the Dhaka mayor, Sadeque Hossain Khoka.’

The Tk 3.27 crore first phase of the works include construction of boundary wall, walkway, digging of a lake, setting up benches, tree plantation and construction of flowerbeds.

‘From the main plan of the second phase, we have dropped some items, including construction of 11 fountains, considering fund shortage,’ he said. The main plan included renovation and development of the lake, construction of internal walkway, setting up light structures for children’s amusement and 11 fountains to mark the 11 sectors of the war of independence.

‘Our first target is to open the park with the revised modernisation and development works and afterwards we will try to complete all works as per the main design, he added.

Another official of the corporation said on completion of the development works, it would create scopes for taking fresh air and be a good place of entertainment for the city dwellers.

Before the corporation started it modernisation, the udyan was in a very bad condition and a safe place for the sex workers, vendors and drug paddlers. A portion of the par would also be used as a parking lot.

Although parking of vehicles in the park has been stopped with the beginning of the development work, a good number of sex workers still wander in and around the park to have their clients, the local people said.

http://www.newagebd.com/met.html

DCC plans five Dhaka gates
First to be built near Tongi Bridge

Helemul Alam

The Dhaka City Corporation plans to construct a Dhaka gate near the Tongi Bridge on a pilot basis, as part of a project to erect five gates at five points of entry to the capital city.
The corporation has already selected the design for the gate through a competition, which was won by HI Architects. HI Architects has been asked to submit a working design, soil test report and cost estimation by September 9.
The working design and the cost estimation will be forwarded to a jury board. If the jury board approves, they will be sent to the mayor, Sadeque Hossain Khoka, for final approval.
‘Once we get the approval, we will float a tender for the project,’ said the DCC chief town planner, Sirajul Islam.
The good governance and development committee of the Prime Minister’s Office decided on February 7, 2005 to construct five Dhaka gates, a DCC official said.
‘Initially, we are going to construct a gate near the Tongi Bridge on a pilot basis,’ Sirajul Islam said. ‘If it is successful, we will construct the rest.’
Another DCC official said although the decision was taken in 2005, it took more time than expected to float the tender as ‘we were looking for designs that will uphold the Bengali culture and tradition’.
‘The first tender, inviting model and design, ended on February 15. However, we found the models and design not up to the mark. Then we went for a second and then third tenders where 28 firms and individuals took part,’ Sirajul Islam said.
The winners were named on June 19. HI Architects won the first prize, Dots Design Limited and Kamrul Islam finished joint second, and Farhana Sharmin, Nawshad Ehsanul Haque and Rabeya Abedin join third.
Hundreds of turrets at the mosques in the Dhaka city preach the message of peace and friendship every day and the design of the gate has been developed on this theme. It will represent the image of the city, the City of Mosques.
The base of the tower, to be built at the northern entry point of a four-century-old capital, will be surrounded by suspended arches in the shape of an oval dome, which will welcome people coming in.
There will be terracotta murals on the walls of the base depicting the culture, heritage, life and means of livelihood of the people of the country.
Effects of lights and colours of the six seasons in Bangladesh will also feature. The lights will also feature the festivities of the city and will also create different moods at different parts of the day.
There will also be a laser lighting system, which would create the effect of a lighthouse. The corporation in March demolished the Dhaka gate in Banani, which was built in the 1980s, to widen the road.

http://www.newagebd.com/met.html#1

New building rule withdraws
height restriction
High rises allowed at Dhanmondi,
Gulshan, Lalmatia, Banani

Helemul Alam

The government has withdrawn the restriction on the construction of building over six storeys in residential areas such as Dhanmondi, Gulshan, Lalmatia and Banani under the revised Building Construction Rules 2006.
The people, constructing buildings under the new rules, gazetted on April 16, will be able to erect more than six storeys, housing ministry officials said on Saturday. The ban was withdrawn on August 23.
But people constructing buildings under the old rules will not benefit from the withdrawal of the restriction.
The circular, issued on August 23 by senior assistant secretary Bikash Chandra Sikdar, says the withdrawal of the height restriction will not be applicable to the residential area of Nikunja (south) under the Rajuk jurisdiction as it falls in the air funnel where high rises could trouble air flight.
The new rules, gazetted on April 16, are still not in force as the government has extended the time limit for the old Building Construction Act 1996 till December.
The ministry issued letters in the past week to the professional bodies seeking appointment of their member on the urban development committee, a high-powered body to monitor the implementation of the revised rules.
The city planner Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha has also recently sent letters to the organisations seeking name of their representative to act as member of the one-window service cell.
The housing works secretary is chairman of the Committee. Others on the committee are Rajuk chairman, city corporation chief executive, representatives (president or vice-president or general secretary) of the Bangladesh Institute of Planners, Institute of Architects Bangladesh, Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh and the Real Estate and Housing Association of Bangladesh.
A professor of Dhaka University, another of the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology and three representatives from civil society will also be made members on the committee.
Three civil society members, offered the position, are Biswa Sahitya Kendra president Abdullah Abu Sayeed, Centre for Urban Studies chairman Nazrul Islam and the Bangladesh Environment Lawyers’ Association director, Syeda Rezwana Hassan.
The members of the one-window service cell, planned to reduce time in approval process, are representatives of the Dhaka Electric Supply Authority, Bangladesh Water Supply and Sewerage Authority, Department of Environment, Dhaka Transport Coordination Board, Bangladesh Telegraph and Telephone Board, Dhaka City Corporation, Five Service and Civil Defence, Dhaka Metropolitan Police, Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh, key point installation defence committee, Institute of Architects Bangladesh, Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh Institute of Planners, Real Estate and Housing Association of Bangladesh, law ministry and representative of a service organisation that works with the people with disabilities.
The chairman of the window is Rajuk member of development and planning and the member secretary is director of Rajuk town planning.
The revised rules have a provision for floor area ratio, which is modern and effective and in use in many developed and developing countries, said a Rajuk official.
It will ensure open space, which will reduce the clumsiness of different areas, he said.
Under the rules a person will be able to build a maximum height building leaving 50 percent land, he said.

http://www.newagebd.com/front.html#3

The under-construction Advanced Skyvine

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j98/mirzazeehan/ongoing-midtown-sky-vine-big.jpg

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j98/mirzazeehan/midtown-sky-vine-location.jpg

Some buildings currently under-construction in Dhaka:

Unique Arcopolis,Gulshan-2

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j98/mirzazeehan/uniquearcopolisgulshan-2.jpg

Unique Heights,Eskaton

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j98/mirzazeehan/uniqueheightseskaton.jpg

Noor Tower,Banani

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j98/mirzazeehan/noortowerbanani.jpg

Westin Dhaka,Gulshan-2

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j98/mirzazeehan/westindhakagulshan-2.jpg

Monem Financial District,Sonargoan Road

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j98/mirzazeehan/monemfinancialdistrict.jpg

Gulfesha Plaza,Moghbazar

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j98/mirzazeehan/gulfeshaplazamoghbazar.jpg

S.A. Tower,Shantinagar

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j98/mirzazeehan/SAtowershantinagar-1.jpg

Noorani Park,Mohakhali

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j98/mirzazeehan/nooraniparkmohakhali-1.jpg

Unique Oval,Gulshan

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j98/mirzazeehan/uniqueovalgulshan.jpg

Saiham Sky View Tower,Bijoynagar

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j98/mirzazeehan/saihamskyviewtowerbijoynagar.jpg

Karim Tower,Kakrail

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j98/mirzazeehan/Karimtowerkakrail-1.jpg

Khoka lays foundation of Golap Shah Mazar complex

Dhaka City Corporation (DCC) has taken an initiative for reconstructing the Golap Shah Mazar and Mosque with modern architectural design at city's Gulistan adjacent to Osmani Udyan, reports BSS.

DCC Mayor Sadek Hossain Khoka today laid the foundation of the Mosque Complex which will be built at a cost of Taka three crore on one bigha of land, said a press release.

Alhaj Mosaddek Ali, MP, ward commissioners Chowdhury Alam and MA Majid and chief executive officer of DCC Saifuddin Ahmed were present on the occasion.

Of the planned four-storey mosque complex, two storeys will be built in the first phase. An orphanage will be housed on the third and fourth floors to be constructed in the second phase. On completion of the first phase, 1,600 persons would be able to offer their namaj at a time.

Later, the city mayor inaugurated an architecture exhibition on "Space and Response" organized by the final year students of the engineering universities of the country at the National Museum auditorium.

http://www.bangladeshobserveronline.com/new/2006/09/05/front.htm

Construction of permanent fair complex to begin early next year

The construction work of a permanent fair complex for the exporters' convenience will start after the Chinese government approves a final proposal sent by the Bangladesh Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) in this connection.
The permanent fair complex will be constructed on 39.45 acres of land in the city's Old Airport area with an initially estimated cost of US$29 million. The Chinese government will provide grants for total cost of construction of the fair complex.
In September 2005, the government of Bangladesh and the Chinese government signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for construction of a permanent fair complex.
According to the MoU the Chinese embassy in Bangladesh requested the EPB to prepare the work plan. After preparing a detailed work plan the EPB submitted it to the Chinese embassy.
The work plan of the EPB included two exhibition halls of 1,70,000 square feet each, open-air plaza (100,000 sqf), business centre (bank, money exchange, travel agents), information centre (2000 sqf), trade office (10,000 sqf, store (10*5000 sqf), medical centre (3000 sqf) and conference room of 100,000 sqf as well as other rooms.
After getting the work plan from the EPB the Chinese government requested the EPB to revise it, and after revising it the EPB submitted it again.
After studying the work plan the embassy of the People's Republic of China in Bangladesh communicated its decision to the Economic Relations Division (ERD) of the ministry of finance.
According to the revised work plan, the two main halls will have a floor space of 86,080 square feet each instead of every exhibition hall of 1,70,000 square feet, as paucity of fund will halt the whole project if such spacious halls are to be constructed.
Considering the dearth of fund the EPB has considered the proposal acceptable and when asked about his opinion the EPB Vice Chairman (VC) Mir Shahabuddin Mohammad Said, "We proposed for two spacious main halls but due to paucity of fund the Chinese government is not able to accept our proposal."
Now they have agreed to accept the Chinese government's proposal of two main halls of total 1,72,160 square feet, added the EPB VC.
The EPB VC also said the construction work of the permanent fair complex is likely to be completed by 2008 and from early 2009 country's exporters will start enjoying its benefits.
"We are expecting that the construction work will start in the early 2007 and within 2008 it will be completed. In 2009 it will be open for the exporters who will be the beneficiaries," said Shahabuddin.
Considering the present situation of arranging international trade fair in the city' Sher-e-Bangla Nagar it will be a convenient centre for the exporters and it will play a vital role in enhancing export-related activities.

http://www.financialexpress-bd.com/index3.asp?cnd=9/5/2006&section_id=7&newsid=36731&spcl=no

Buildings U/C:

Sahera Tropical Centre,Elephant road

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j98/mirzazeehan/saheratropicalcentreelephantroad.jpg

Crescent Tower,Ring road

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j98/mirzazeehan/crescenttowerringroad.jpg

Bay's 50,Mohakhali

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j98/mirzazeehan/Bays50Mohakhali.jpg

Corporate Headquater,Gulshan

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j98/mirzazeehan/CorporateHeadquaterGulshan.jpg

Fortune Shopping Mall,Moghbazar

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j98/mirzazeehan/fortuneshoppingmallmoghbazar.jpg

Confidence Tower,Progati Sarani

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j98/mirzazeehan/confidencetowerprogotisarani.jpg

Shatabdi Center,Fakirapul

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j98/mirzazeehan/shatabdicentrefakirapul.jpg

Suvastu Arcade,Elephant road

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j98/mirzazeehan/Suvastuarcadenewelephantroad.jpg

Suvastu,Location Unknown

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j98/mirzazeehan/suvastuunknown.jpg

Suvastu Aroma Center,Elephant road

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j98/mirzazeehan/SuvastuAromaCenterElephantroad.jpg

Suvastu Nazar Valley,Shahajadpur

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j98/mirzazeehan/suvastunazarvalleyshajahadpur.jpg

Dhaka Trade Center,Kawranbazar

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j98/mirzazeehan/dhaka_trade_centre.jpg

Majid Ena,Dhanmondi

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j98/mirzazeehan/majidenadhanmondi.jpg

Grand Plaza,Moghbazar

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j98/mirzazeehan/grandplazashoppingmoghbazar.jpg

Meher Point,Panthapath
http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j98/mirzazeehan/meher-pointpanthapath.jpg

S.R. Tower,Airport road
http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j98/mirzazeehan/srtowerairportroad.jpg

WaterFord,Gulshan

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j98/mirzazeehan/WaterfordGulshan.jpg

Boro Bazar,Greenroad

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j98/mirzazeehan/borobazargreenroad.jpg

Dhaka Subway
Ministry asked to go ahead with proposal

The Private Infrastructure Committee (PICOM) yesterday enlisted a proposal for constructing a metro rail system in Dhaka city on build, operate and transfer (BOT) basis.

The meeting also asked the Ministry of Communications to go ahead with the proposal for an international bidding after final approval. Principal secretary to the prime minister's office Kamal Uddin Siddiqui chaired the meeting, which also enlisted another proposal for constructing a multipurpose complex by Rajuk at Karwan Bazar near Hotel Sonargaon, according to sources. Rajuk was also asked to conduct a detailed study on the project before its kick-off.

The proposal for constructing the subway in the capital would now go to the cabinet committee for economic affairs (CCEA) for final approval. After the CCEA approval, an official gazette would be published in this regard.

After that a contractual agreement would be signed between the government and the implementing agencies, according to the rules.

The PICOM has also asked the communications ministry to conduct a feasibility study on constructing subway in Dhaka. The feasibility study is necessary for details planning of relocation of utility services which would be affected by the project, according to sources. The ministry had sent a proposal to the planning commission for feasibility study on subway seeking Tk 7 crore. But the planning commission did not respond to the proposal.

Earlier, Contech Limited, a local firm pre-qualified in the technical evaluation for constructing the subway. The firm has proposed to construct a 52-kilometre long underground rail system in Dhaka spending Tk 5,200 crore with financial assistance from the Japan Bank of International Co-operation (JBIC).

Asked what would be the fate of Contech which pre-qualified earlier, a high official of the Board of Investment (BoI) who was present in the meeting told The Daily Star that the company would remain as pre-qualified and it would also be able to participate in the international bidding. When asked how much time it would take to start physical construction, he said it is a mega project and the government does not want to hurry in implementing it.

http://www.thedailystar.net/2006/09/07/d6090701149.htm

Dhaka Subway
Ministry asked to go ahead with proposal

The Private Infrastructure Committee (PICOM) yesterday enlisted a proposal for constructing a metro rail system in Dhaka city on build, operate and transfer (BOT) basis.

The meeting also asked the Ministry of Communications to go ahead with the proposal for an international bidding after final approval. Principal secretary to the prime minister's office Kamal Uddin Siddiqui chaired the meeting, which also enlisted another proposal for constructing a multipurpose complex by Rajuk at Karwan Bazar near Hotel Sonargaon, according to sources. Rajuk was also asked to conduct a detailed study on the project before its kick-off.

The proposal for constructing the subway in the capital would now go to the cabinet committee for economic affairs (CCEA) for final approval. After the CCEA approval, an official gazette would be published in this regard.

After that a contractual agreement would be signed between the government and the implementing agencies, according to the rules.

The PICOM has also asked the communications ministry to conduct a feasibility study on constructing subway in Dhaka. The feasibility study is necessary for details planning of relocation of utility services which would be affected by the project, according to sources. The ministry had sent a proposal to the planning commission for feasibility study on subway seeking Tk 7 crore. But the planning commission did not respond to the proposal.

Earlier, Contech Limited, a local firm pre-qualified in the technical evaluation for constructing the subway. The firm has proposed to construct a 52-kilometre long underground rail system in Dhaka spending Tk 5,200 crore with financial assistance from the Japan Bank of International Co-operation (JBIC).

Asked what would be the fate of Contech which pre-qualified earlier, a high official of the Board of Investment (BoI) who was present in the meeting told The Daily Star that the company would remain as pre-qualified and it would also be able to participate in the international bidding. When asked how much time it would take to start physical construction, he said it is a mega project and the government does not want to hurry in implementing it.

http://www.thedailystar.net/2006/09/07/d6090701149.htm


The delay is just disappointing. I was waiting for some news on the subway. The good news, in my opinion, is that the international bidding might bring a better, more experienced firm to the forefront than Contech. Let's keep our fingers crossed.

gohorns, atleast it seems like govt. is pretty serious about getting this project underway. Dhaka needs a subway system badly. I hope they decide on it sooner rather than later.

gohorns, atleast it seems like govt. is pretty serious about getting this project underway. Dhaka needs a subway system badly. I hope they decide on it sooner rather than later.

amen brother.

Dhaka-Chittagong Expressway
Tender for feasibility study likely by year-end

A contract for carrying out the feasibility study on the proposed Dhaka-Chittagong Expressway, to be built at the cost of US$ 900 million, is expected to be put to tender by the end of this year.

The Roads and Highways Division (RHD) wants to appoint an international consultant to conduct the feasibility study on the 210-kilometre-long expressway, widely considered as the largest ever private infrastructure project in the country.

The RHD is also pressing ahead with an idea to carry on both the study work and the process of investors' selection in a bid to avert unnecessary delay in launching the construction of the expressway, a senior RHD official told the FE.

The RHD has already engaged the Infrastructure Investment Facilitation Centre (IIFC), a public sector consulting agency, in preparing the bidding document, and looking into the commercial and environmental aspects of the project.

"We're now preparing the major terms and conditions for the potential bidders," IIFC chief executive officer Nazrul Islam told the FE Wednesday.

Islam declined to provide the salient terms and conditions, but he said the issue of technology transfer will get priority in it.

"At least, five per cent of the total investment should be set aside for technology transfer," he opined.

Sources said the proposal of the terms and conditions for the bidders will be placed before the cabinet soon.

A five-member committee, headed by deputy governor of the Bangladesh Bank Allah Malik Kazemi, was entrusted to determine the major terms and conditions for the potential bidders, it is reliably learnt.

Sources said the Private Infrastructure Committee (PICOM) decided to give the Azimat Consortium, a Malaysian firm, the status of a pre-qualified bidder based on its "unsolicited offer" for the construction of the expressway.
But the Private Infrastructure Guidelines do not allow a single investor to be awarded the contract for any private infrastructure project.

"If two to three bidders participate in the fray, the RHD will select one to award the contract, considering the technical and financial offers," the RHD official said.
Official sources said the Bangladesh Bank, the central bank, would be assigned to assess the macro-economic impact of the expressway on the local economy.

In its proposal submitted to the government, the Azimat Consortium, projected the internal rate of return would range between 19 and 20 per cent on top of investment.

Similarly, the private builder will contribute $ 2.1 billion in taxes in 20 years to the government exchequer, while also returning assets worth $10 billion after 30 years of operation of the highway, according to the proposal.

It also forecast diversion of 20 per cent of the existing 16,000 motorised vehicles moving through the Dhaka-Chittagong highway a day to the expressway.
However, official sources alleged, the selection of an international consultant for the proposed study would be a complicated process, thereby delaying the construction process.

The proposed four-lane Dhaka-Chittagong expressway with international standard facilities will be built on the build-operate-transfer (BOT) basis.

Once commissioned in five years as planned, the highway is expected to cut the distance between the two cities by nearly 60 kilometres from the existing 264 kilometres, said officials.

"Commuters will be able to get to the port city of Chittagong from the capital within three hours instead of six to seven hours it takes now, bringing about a revolution in the country's transport system," the IIFC chief said.

The Private Infrastructure Committee (PICOM), headed by the Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister's Office, had approved the project following submission of expression of interests to the government.

Experts and the business community have long been demanding construction of a second highway to connect the capital to the port city for smooth transportation of goods and facilitate uninterrupted export-import activities through the Chittagong port.

The acquisition of land of 2,500 acres for accommodating the highway itself, service stations, rest rooms, recreation facilities and prayer rooms would take a huge time, officials said.

The RHD feels that there should be a separate entity like the Jamuna Multi-purpose Bridge Authority (JMBA) to police the construction of the expressway.
The company proposes to construct six bridges on rivers Meghna and Sitalakhya, four toll plazas, parking lots, rest-houses, toilets, filling stations, eateries and mosques at reasonable distances.

The main objective of the highway is to enhance Chittagong Port's activities by ensuring swift supply and delivery of export and import items from the capital to Chittagong and vice versa.

http://www.financialexpress-bd.com/index3.asp?cnd=10/6/2006&section_id=1&newsid=39994&spcl=no

MoU signed for setting up mass rail transit system in city

A memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed Thursday between the Dhaka City Corporation (DCC) and American Transport System Corporation (ATSC) to set up a mass rail transit system in the city.

Chief executive officer (CEO) of DCC Saifuddin Ahmed and Norbert Von Boode, president and CEO of ATSC, singed the MoU on behalf of their respective organisations.

DCC mayor Sadeq Hossain Khoka was present at the MoU signing ceremony of the US$1.0-billion elevated or mass rail transit system project, which will alleviate traffic jam after implementation.

Primarily, ATSC will spend $3.0 million to make a feasibility study and to find out the exact route to set up the mass transit rail system over the next six months.

It is expected that within the next three and a half years the project will be completed for use.

After the MoU signing ceremony the DCC mayor said the project will bring a dramatic change in the traffic situation of the city after its implementation.

http://www.financialexpress-bd.com/index3.asp?cnd=10/6/2006&section_id=1&newsid=40011&spcl=no

Elevated Express Railway
MoU signed with US co to conduct feasibility study


A memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed between Dhaka City Corporation (DCC) and American Transport System Corporation (ATSC) here yesterday to conduct feasibility study on construction of elevated express railway in the capital to ease traffic congestion.

Chief Executive Officer of DCC Saifuddin Ahmed and ATSC President Norbert Von Boode signed the MoU on behalf of their respective sides in presence of City Mayor Sadeque Hossain Khoka at Nagar Bhaban.

After the signing, the mayor told the state-run news agency that the American company would conduct feasibility study on setting up of elevated express railway or sky rail line in and around the capital.

Younusuzzaman, local partner of ATSC, said nearly 100-km rail lines will be installed under the project that includes 40-km lines from Narayanganj to Joydevpur, nearly 40-km lines from Sadarghat to Savar and 20-km circular rail lines.

The project will be implemented at a cost of Tk over 6,500 crore, he said, adding that a 50-MW power plant will be installed to meet electricity requirement to run the trains on all routes.

http://www.thedailystar.net/2006/10/06/d61006060865.htm

mass rail transit system and Dhaka-Chittagong Expressway.....pretty big news.

Yeah...mass rail transit system in Dhaka can truly change the entire traffic scenario.But i still don't understand.....are they going to build both skyrail and subway in the city or will one of these be chosen?

Khaleda lays foundation stone
of FBCCI building
Inaugurates BGMEA complex at Karwan
Bazar site in city
Staff Correspondent
The prime minister, Khaleda Zia, on Sunday laid foundation stone of the proposed FBCCI Building Complex of the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry and inaugurated a complex constructed by the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association in Dhaka.
The FBCCI has planned a 23-story building complex on one acre land at East-Panthapath that the government on Thursday allocated for the country’s apex trade body in trade of a token money of Tk 1,00,000 only.
With an estimated spending of Tk 1 billion, the FBCCI would construct modern offices and facilities of an international trade centre at the proposed building located at the south-east corner of the Karwarbazar rail crossing and south-west of the Film Development Corporation (FDC) complex, said the FBCCI officials.
The prime minister also inaugurated the BGMEA Complex located on the west side of the proposed FBCCI building.
The 16-story building of the BGMEA earlier was inaugurated by the commerce minister, Hafiz Uddin Ahmed, on July 12, during the erstwhile leadership of RMG owners club.
But the new leadership of the BGMEA with its president SM Fazlul Hoque arranged its re-inauguration by the PM in the name of BGMEA complex.
The office of the BGMEA, a composite trade centre to be managed by the BGMEA, and the offices of several dozen of garment exporters would be accommodated in the complex.
Inaugurating the Tk 70 crore BGMEA complex, Khaleda said her government would consider waiving of unpaid payments of the BGMEA that it owes to the government as land price.
The BGMEA purchased a two-bigha plot from Export Promotion Bureau at a cost of over Tk 5 crore in September 1998. Although the BGMEA completed the building, an amount about 1.62 crore, part of the land price, remained unpaid.
The BGMEA also owes Tk 12.5 lakh to the Rajdhani Unnayan Kartipakkha that fined the BGMEA as penalty for completing building construction flouting the provisions in the building design submitted to the authority

another 23 storied building on East Panthapath? Nice!!! Nice find Mirza! What's this building in the middle of this picture? Near Westin Dhaka. Anyone know?

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v128/Tarik/Tarik2/Tarik3/Tarik4/gulshanskyline44.jpg

I have been trying to find out about this building in the middle for sometime...i have no idea how much taller it will be...everytime i count..i just see it getting taller and taller..btw..it was 24 storey the last time i checked.

PM lays foundation stones of four establishments

Prime Minister Khaleda Zia inaugurated and laid foundation stones of four establishments, including Swadhinata Stambha, in the capital on Sunday.

The PM first laid the foundation stone of a multistoried BTMA Bhaban (Bangladesh Textile Mills Association Building) beside Dhaka-Tongi Diversion Road in Baro Maghbazar area. She then went to the Institution of Engineers and inaugurated its newly built IEB Bhaban.

Khaleda then unveiled the plaque of Swadhinata Stambha or independence memorial at Suhrawardy Uddyan.

Finally, she unveiled the plaque of the foundation stone of Bangladesh Government Employees Welfare Board Bhaban near Dainik Bangla crossing in Motijheel area.

Textiles and Jute Minister Shajahan Siraj, Public Works Minister Mirza Abbas and State Minister for Liberation War Affairs Rezaul Karim were present during the inaugural functions.

http://www.financialexpress-bd.com/index3.asp?cnd=10/23/2006&section_id=3&newsid=41696&spcl=no

Yeah...mass rail transit system in Dhaka can truly change the entire traffic scenario.But i still don't understand.....are they going to build both skyrail and subway in the city or will one of these be chosen?

Is Dhaka's soil actually capable of having a subway? I think having a subway would create more problems for Dhaka with the risk of floods and all. Its better to have a skyrail system for Dhaka's situation i think.

Agree with Zaki on that one. Although Kolkata's subway proves that one can be built in this kind of soil, I think it would be unnecessarily high maintenance in this flood prone land. An elevated system would make more sense...the one here in America that comes to mind is the one in Chicago.

ya I think an elevated system would make more sense for Dhaka. I am sure proper feasibility studies will be done before making any final decisions.

Buildings U/C or Proposed:

unique group building,banani

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j98/mirzazeehan/uniquegroupbuildingbanani.jpg

uknown,banani

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j98/mirzazeehan/unknownbuibanani.jpg

uknown tower,banani

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j98/mirzazeehan/unknowntowerbanani.jpg

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j98/mirzazeehan/uknowntower2banani.jpg

red crescent national headquater,eskaton

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j98/mirzazeehan/redcresentnationalquatereskaton.jpg

praasad trade center,banani

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j98/mirzazeehan/praasadtradecenterbanani.jpg

lotus kamal tower 2,gulshan-1

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j98/mirzazeehan/lotuskamaltower2.jpg

atiqullah tower,fakirapul

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j98/mirzazeehan/atiqullahcentermapfakirapul.jpg

grand plaza,moghbazar

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j98/mirzazeehan/grandplazamoghbazar.jpg

globe center,elephant road

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j98/mirzazeehan/globecenterelephantroad.jpg

d.k. tower,sonargoan road

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j98/mirzazeehan/dktowersonargoanroad.jpg

green peace,shantinagar

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j98/mirzazeehan/greenpeaceshantinagar.jpg

concord regency,panthopath

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j98/mirzazeehan/concordregencypanthopath.jpg

concord emporium,elephant road

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j98/mirzazeehan/concordemporiumelephantroad.jpg

world business centrum,banani

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j98/mirzazeehan/worldbusinesscentrumbanani.jpg

concord i.k. tower,gulshan

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j98/mirzazeehan/concordiktowergulshan.jpg

why are midget buildings named towers?

why are midget buildings named towers?

I guess it helps sell more...

I guess it helps sell more...
thats some wierd shit dawg!

Project Name: Sun Moon Star Plaza
Type: Commercial Space and Apartment Complex
Address: 6/A/1 South Kallyanpur Dhaka-1207


http://www.moongroupindsltd.com/admin/pic/apartment.gif

Project Name: SAGUFTA DE KHAN
Type: South Facing Apartment,Shopping Mall and Commercial Space.
Address : 77 West PanthaPath,Green Road,Dhaka-1215.

http://www.sagufta.com/images/project_images/62_main.jpg


Project Name: SAGUFTA LAUREL
Type: 12 Storied Commercial Building at Motijheel.
Address : 1/2/A,B,C Motijheel C/A,Dhaka.

http://www.sagufta.com/images/project_images/66_FRONT%20PAGE.jpg


Project Name: SAGUFTA PARK TOWER
Type: 30 Storied Office Tower & Shopping Mall of 10 Levels.
Address : Panthapath,Opposite of SAGUFTA ACACIA & Bashundhara City Shopping Mall.

http://www.sagufta.com/images/project_images/68_main1.jpg


Project Name: SAGUFTA ACACIA
Type: 9 Storied Commercial Building.
Address : 13/A, PanthaPath, Dhaka-1205

http://www.sagufta.com/images/project_images/64_PAGE02.jpg

Tmac,the SAGUFTA PARK TOWER looks awesome! Has the construction started yet?

Tmac,the SAGUFTA PARK TOWER looks awesome! Has the construction started yet?

no it hasn't started yet. The website says it should start shortly. The first two are under construction.

Villas in Dhaka

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j98/mirzazeehan/duplex_top.jpg
http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j98/mirzazeehan/bddlpro.jpg
http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j98/mirzazeehan/bddl1.jpg

Types of Villas


http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j98/mirzazeehan/22.jpg

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j98/mirzazeehan/20.jpg

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j98/mirzazeehan/16.jpg

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j98/mirzazeehan/18.jpg

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j98/mirzazeehan/14.jpg

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j98/mirzazeehan/12.jpg

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j98/mirzazeehan/10.jpg

Common Facilities

park | play lot | play ground | club | lake | walking path | mosque | shop corner | shopping mall
school | college | university | hospital | diagnostic center | commercial complex | graveyard
bank | hotel | ATM booth | eidgah | 24 hours security system | 24 hours medical service

Does anyone have any news on the headquarters of 'The City Bank Ltd' in Dilkusha/Motijheel? I was supposed to be over 30-storied (not the 37-storied City Centre building though)... that's all I remember.

Does anyone have any news on the headquarters of 'The City Bank Ltd' in Dilkusha/Motijheel? I was supposed to be over 30-storied (not the 37-storied City Centre building though)... that's all I remember.

SAS, the City bank website just gives you a rendering of the building. It provides no info on the construction status or the completion date.

Mirzazeehan, I sent you a PM a couple of days ago - I'm looking for the web page for BDDL that has the info you posted. Can you please point me to it? Thanks.

Mirzazeehan, I sent you a PM a couple of days ago - I'm looking for the web page for BDDL that has the info you posted. Can you please point me to it? Thanks.


Bangali,i am sorry,i didn't check my inbox lately.Anyways,the add. of the bddl website is www.bddl.org

what are the price range for those villas?

check out the article below. Does it mean the first few floors of the City Centre is complete? Can anyone provide pics???


HSBC relocates Motijheel branch

The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation (HSBC) Limited in Bangladesh had shifted its Motijheel branch to its new location at the City Centre with full operations starting on December 03, 2006.
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of HSBC in Bangladesh Steve Banner inaugurated the relocated branch.
Also present at the inaugural function were HSBC Head of Personal Financial Services Mamoon M Shah and Branch Manager Saidul Amin.
HSBC had opened its Motijheel branch in 2001 to serve the customers working in the commercial hub of Dhaka.
Speaking on the occasion, Steve Banner said: "HSBC will continue to seek to expand and upgrade its distribution channels in the country. We have received tremendous support from our customers and will continue to strive to deliver excellent service."
Mamoon M Shah said: "The decision to relocate the Motijheel branch came as a result of the growth in the number of customers and requests from them to make available for them a larger banking hall at Motijheel."

http://www.financialexpress-bd.com/index3.asp?cnd=12/7/2006&section_id=7&newsid=45962&spcl=no

Project Name: Western Panthonibash
Type: 11 Storied Office Tower & Apartment Complex
Address : 69/O, East Panthopath, Dhaka.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v193/Bangladesh/bangladesh1/WesternPanthonibash.jpg

Project Name: ADVANCED TECHNO HEAVEN CENTRE
Type: 16 Storied Office Tower & Apartment Complex
Address : Motijheel C/A, Dhaka

http://www.advanced-bd.com/ongoing-other-techno-big.jpg



Project Name: ADVANCED SKY VINE
Type: 16 Storied MODERN LUXURIOUS APARTMENTS CUM COMMERCIAL COMPLEX
Address : 17 Kakrail, Dhaka

http://www.advanced-bd.com/ongoing-midtown-sky-vine-big.jpg



Project Name: BAILEY BALLERINA
Type: 16 Storied APARTMENTS COMPLEX
Address : 144, New Baily Road, Dhaka

http://www.advanced-bd.com/ongoing-baily-balerina.jpg

Project Name: SEL GREEN CENTRE
Type: 9 Storied Apartment Complex
Address : House # 28/30, Green Road, Dhaka.

http://www.selflats.com/image/sel_green_s.jpg



Project Name: SHAJAN TOWER-2
Type: 9 Storied Commercial cum apartment project.
Address : 3, Segun Bagicha, Ramna, Dhaka.

http://www.selflats.com/image/shajan_tow2_b.jpg

Tube train move gathers pace

The Ministry of Communications has decided to seek approval of the cabinet committee on economic affairs to construct an underground railway network in the capital to ease traffic congestion.

It has taken the move after the Private Infrastructure Committee (PICOM) of the Board of Investment (BoI) has drawn up the US$ 898.55 million venture under a private infrastructure project.

Communications Secretary Ismail Zabiullah told the FE that construction of a metro subway in the capital was a necessity to cope with the requirement of a mega city.

"The project proposal was placed before the cabinet division at the fag end of the immediate past government and it was sent back to the communication ministry for further scrutiny," he said.

The ministry has already held an inter-ministerial meeting and completed necessary re-examination of the project before sending it again to the cabinet division, he added.

Contech Limited, a local construction firm, will build the 52-kilometre underground railway network with six major routes in the capital city under build, operate and transfer (BOT) basis, ministry sources said.

The construction, as per the proposal of the firm, will be 'cut and cover' method and the whole process will be completed in four years by a consortium of a number of foreign and local organisations.

The construction firm will operate the tube rail for 34 years before transferring it to the government, sources added.

The communication ministry that recognises the necessity of an underground railway for solving the traffic problem and easing transportation of the city people has, however, decided to send the proposal for approval without conducting a technical feasibility study.

But it has done financial feasibility of the project, ministry officials said.
The ministry invited a pre-qualification bidding in February 2003 to set up the underground railway on BOT basis in Dhaka.

Only two companies responded, of which the local firm Contech Limited was qualified.

According to Contech pre-qualification bid proposal, it is committed to keep the fare below that of surface transport and will not apply tunnel boring method that is very expensive and time consuming.

India set up metro rail in Delhi and Kolkata with 'cut and cover' method.
According to the proposal, a firm from Hong Kong will work as the constructor, Sena Kallyan Sangstha, Bangladesh as the financier and project manager, the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology as the lead consultant, Hitachi of Japan as equipment supplier, and JBIC (Japan Bank for International Cooperation) as provider of supplier's credit and syndicated bank loan.

http://www.financialexpress-bd.com/index3.asp?cnd=12/18/2006&section_id=1&newsid=46998&spcl=no

Project Name: Head Office Building (Chini Shilpa Bhaban) of Bangladesh Sugar & Food Industries Corporation
Type: 20 Storied Commercial project.
Address : 3, Dilkusha C/A., Dhaka.

http://www.pulbd.com/images/portfolio/head_office_building_of_BSFIC.jpg


Project Name: National Art Gallery
Address : Shilpakala Academy, Segunbagicha, Dhaka

http://www.pulbd.com/images/portfolio/National_Art_Gallery.jpg


Project Name: National Music & Dance Centre
Address : Shilpakala Academy, Segunbagicha, Dhaka

http://www.pulbd.com/images/portfolio/National_Music_and_Dance_Centre.jpg


Project Name: National Archives Building
Address : Sher-E-Bangla Nagar, Dhaka

http://www.pulbd.com/images/portfolio/National_Archives_Building.jpg

Tmac great find. All four look like they are gonna be great buildings. Shilpa bhaban looks tall and cant wait to see the national art gallery in person when its done.

SPL Western Tower,(near Gulshan-1)

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j98/mirzazeehan/swt.jpg
http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j98/mirzazeehan/office.jpg
http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j98/mirzazeehan/commer.jpg

Mirza, where is this SPL Western Tower being built? Who is the developer?

Mirza, where is this SPL Western Tower being built? Who is the developer?

Tmac,SPL Western Tower is being built really close to where they have the merc,bmw,volvo showrooms.Shanta properties ltd has undertaken this project,and construction is progressing really fast.

Mirza, here's a photo of the construction site. SPL Western Tower will be a 18 storied commercial building.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v128/Tarik/Tarik2/Tarik3/Tarik4/splwesterntower.jpg

EPB gets land from Bangladesh Railway to start World Trade Centre construction work

The Export Promotion Bureau recently took possession of land at Karwan Bazar from the Bangladesh Railway to construct the long-cherished World Trade Centre.

The EPB has bought 5.555 acres of land at a cost of Tk 460 million from the BR and paid the amount in four installments in 2000, a senior EPB official told the FE Friday.

"It will take three months' time to start the construction of the WTC as some official procedures have to be completed," the official said.

He, however, confirmed that the government had taken the final decision to start construction of the WTC within a short time.

The proposal for construction of WTC in the Karwan Bazar commercial area, adjacent to the Sonargaon Pan Pacific Hotel, was approved in 1982.

The construction of the WTC has been delayed due to reluctance of the BR to hand over the land to the EPB, sources said.

The BR authority has completed the registration of the land after payment of the land price six years ago by the EPB, sources concerned said.

The EPB received a confirmation letter on February 8 last from the BR in connection with the registration of the land, sources added.

Earlier, Planning Commission rejected the first proposal of building the WTC on 2.17 acres of land at Minto road, adjacent to Hotel Sheraton, saying the proposed land is insufficient for construction of the WTC.

The Planning Commission selected the WTC site at the Sonargaon rail crossing area, which was under the BR, sources said.

The WTC will be constructed under built-own- transfer (BOT) basis.

Besides, the EPB had made contacts with several local and foreign firms for construction work and feasibility study of the WTC, but the initiative has not yet been successful, the EPB official lamented.

A memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed with the French organisation -- Bouques Betiment -- in 2000 for feasibility study of WTC, but they dropped the matter due to 'reasons unknown'.

Sources concerned, however, said the EPB will also construct a permanent fair complex on 39.5 acres of land at the old airport area, near the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre in the city.

http://www.financialexpress-bd.com/index3.asp?cnd=1/6/2007&section_id=1&newsid=48562&spcl=no

Project Name : Gawsia Kashem Center
Type: 16 storied commercial building
Address: 10/2, Arambag, Motijheel C/A, Dhaka

http://www.rehabhousing.com/member_img/MEM211/project/21101fl.jpg


Project Name : Gulshanara City
Type: shopping complex
Address: 5-6, Ahsanullah road, Nobabbari, Islampur, Dhaka.

http://www.rehabhousing.com/member_img/MEM126/project/12603fl.jpg

Project Name : Green Deluxe
Type: An exclusive Commercial Building
Address: House#67D, Road#11, Block-E, Banani, Dhaka.

http://www.rehabhousing.com/member_img/MEM070/project/07006fl.jpg




Project Name : Sahera Tropical Centre
Type: An exclusive 14 storied commercial project
Address: 218, Elephant Road, Dhaka

http://www.rehabhousing.com/member_img/MEM080/project/08002pl.jpg




Project Name : Manama Center
Type: An exclusive commercial building
Address: House#1, Road#13(New), Dhanmondi, R/A, Dhaka-1209.

http://www.rehabhousing.com/member_img/MEM235/project/23513fl.jpg

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j98/mirzazeehan/tobebuiltmohakhali.jpg

Villas in Dhaka

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j98/mirzazeehan/duplex_top.jpg
http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j98/mirzazeehan/bddlpro.jpg
http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j98/mirzazeehan/bddl1.jpg

Types of Villas


http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j98/mirzazeehan/22.jpg

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j98/mirzazeehan/20.jpg

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j98/mirzazeehan/16.jpg

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j98/mirzazeehan/18.jpg

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j98/mirzazeehan/14.jpg

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j98/mirzazeehan/12.jpg

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j98/mirzazeehan/10.jpg

Common Facilities

park | play lot | play ground | club | lake | walking path | mosque | shop corner | shopping mall
school | college | university | hospital | diagnostic center | commercial complex | graveyard
bank | hotel | ATM booth | eidgah | 24 hours security system | 24 hours medical service

I inquired bddl on this project. They told me this is the "most expensive land project" in Bangladesh and handover date is june 2012.

Here is the price list they send me as well.

http://img214.imageshack.us/img214/8079/pricejk8.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Back from brief trip to BD...stayed near Motijheel - saw City Centre which is over 10 stories now going up just across the street to Janata Bank...no active construction though likely due to Eid break and now political unrest. Surprisingly enough HSBC seems already to have an office open on the first floor.

Baitul Mukarram is getting some sort of extension on the south side which obscures the traditional view of the mosque seen in many pictures from Bangabandhu Avenue. Among the new constructions is a minaret for the mosque.

Several buildings which are likely to be in the 15 - 20 storey range, are being built to north of Baitul Mukarram.

Do have a few pics of Motijheel, will post these in near future sometime.

Tanziriran, can't wait!!

New Market Shopping and Commercial Complex

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v193/Bangladesh/bangladesh1/newmarketshoppingcomplex.jpg

In this pic early January approaching Gulshan from the east, you can see Nafi Tower (that's the name, right?) has topped out between Navana and Uday Towers. I tried to crop this image and blow up the part with the towers for closer view, but was unsuccessful at that...
http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r94/tanzirian/DSC00028.jpg
Photo taken same time of that highrise next to the Westin, also topped out:
http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r94/tanzirian/DSC00029.jpg

nice picture Tanzirian. Nafi tower...how tall is it?

It is about the same height as Navana or Uday...so maybe 22 stories or so. I am not sure about the name...it was mentioned I think by Mirzazeehan some months ago - he posted a drawing of the finished building.

so Tanzirian what were your impressions of Dhaka? Were you pleasently surprised or a bit dissappointed? Are there a lot of construction going on? Any in particular caught your eyes? Which area in particular was the most impressive? How do you compare Kawran Bazar skyline to Gulshan/Mohakhali skyline?

Well, this forum keeps me pretty up to date, otherwise I probably would have a lot to stare at.

The most impressive view for me, is headed east on Mohakhali flyover. That must be the most impressive street view of highrises right now, though the greater Motijheel area I am sure has more.

It is difficult to compare Kawran to Mohakhali-Gulshan-Banani but the latter three together undoubtedly is a bigger collection of highrises. Speaking of Kawran, there is a 20 or so storied just a little behind Hotel Sonargaon, which I have not seen posted here. Sorry, didn't get pic of that one..

any photos of this impressive view?

Sorry no, it is a really fleeting view down Mohakhali as one heads towards the airport, and these rented drivers drive pretty fast :) . Basically you see the skyline we have seen in many of your pics previously, but it has the appearance of a small sea of highrises from that elevated vantagepoint. Photographing this view is a task you can assign to your private army of photographers ;). As for me, it is 1:30 AM now, so I think I will call it a night! Bye for now.

Tmac, I take back what I said about that building behind Sonargaon. Having just seen your post in the Metro thread, I think it was the BGMEA building.

New Minarate for Baitul Mukarram is in final stage

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v193/Bangladesh/bangladesh1/baitulmukarramminerat.jpg

PWD to build Public Park on open space

Public Works Department (PWD) has decided to convert the western part of Dhanmondi Eidgah adjacent to Satmasjid road into a park soon, said the concerned sources.

"The western part of the Eidgah is originally designated for a park. We have instructed the PWD to build a public park with a grill-fence around it", said ASM Ismail, chief architect, Department of Architecture.

According to the design of the park there will be a grill-fenced boundary. Arboury Culture wing of the PWD will plant trees in the park where the visitors can take rest and spend their leisure time.

"The process of making a park is going on. We are waiting for funds to start the work," said PWD Executive Engineer Taslim Uddin Jamaddar.

The residents welcomed PWD's plan as their long cherished dream is going to be fulfilled. The Eidgah mosque committee has long been illegally encroaching on the open space in a bid to grab it for what they said to build 'a car park'.

"To convert the area into a park is urgent. Otherwise the mosque committee will grab the place like the eastern part," said an elderly resident of the area.

According to several sources, on June 11, 2006 Ministry of Housing and Public Works permitted the mosque committee to use 2.2 bighas of its land on the eastern side of the Eidgah under strict conditions.

One of the conditions included that other than religious structures; the mosque committee must obtain prior permission from relevant authorities if they build any other type of structures on the site. But other than the mosque and madrasa there are also a few tea stalls, a packaging workshop is currently situated inside the area.

Other than using the permitted area the mosque committee as a first step of encroachment started to build a madrasa on 7.15 katha last year. The PWD did not permit the mosque committee to use the place as it has a prior plan to make a project building there.

Being the legal authority of the area, PWD took several measures to recover the land, which included filing several complaints (GDs) with Dhanmondi police station.

"Finding involvement of powerful people in the mosque committee, the police had to retreat from the area several times," said a concerned source preferring anonymity.

Moreover, the mosque committee uses the religious sentiment whenever the police or PWD officials come forward to stop the illegal establishments, he added.

http://www.thedailystar.net/2007/01/28/d701282505114.htm

^^ Factoid: this eidgah is one of the oldest structures in Dhaka, built in 1640. Here are some pictures from 1982, before modern alterations took place around 1990. The first pic shows the surviving aspect of the inner wall with the mehrab. The second pic shows the exterior of the wall. When I was a kid, my school was located across the street and I used to play football in the field of this eidgah.
http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r94/tanzirian/IBH0295.jpg
http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r94/tanzirian/IBH0298.jpg

Thanks for the info and the pic Tanzirian

Tejgaon

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j98/mirzazeehan/projectunknown.jpg

15 Storey building U/C in Uttara

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j98/mirzazeehan/constructionuttara-1.jpg

what's that circular thing on top of the building on the left? Another revolving restaurant..lol?

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j98/mirzazeehan/constructionuttara-1.jpg

rendering of the under construction 34 storied City Bank headquarter in downtown Dhaka.

http://www.thecitybank.com/image/hdbuild.jpg

what is present status of this project?and exactly where is it going to be?

Great to see a newcomer tareq79. I have no idea where it is but I'm sure Tmac or Mirza will know. By the way, make sure to post in the Bangladesh subforum roll call thread and the bangladesh subforum thread under Sky Bazaar.

tareq79, that project is somewhere in Dilkhusha. I am not sure of it's status. It's hard to find any information on projects in Bangladesh. Welcome to the forum.

Someone in Metro Dhaka thread said that City Centre construction may delay. Anyone know anything about that?

Nope, that piece of information is actually incorrect. I work in the Motijheel area and construction of the City Centre building seems to be going on full swing. I even saw work going on this morning. However, I have no idea about this headquarters of The City Bank Limited. There is little or no information about it online, whatever there is probably five years old.

^^ When I was around Motijheel earlier this month I saw no indication that any building of that scale other the City Centre was under construction. So likely, that proposal is not going anywhere for now at least. Then again, I don't know exactly where it was supposed to be built, so I can't say for sure.

Tanzirian you mean City Bank Building right? 37 storied City Center in under construction. I know that for sure. City Bank building...don't know about that.

what's that circular thing on top of the building on the left? Another revolving restaurant..lol?


Dont know for sure,but I sure hope so.

Someone in Metro Dhaka thread said that City Centre construction may delay. Anyone know anything about that?

I said that. According to newspaper report, Orion group is the builder (parent company). All of Orion group’s directors and chairman are in hiding to evade arrest warrant. They have massive corruption charges against them. So, I speculated that this would have adverse affect on the completion of the project. As an enthusiastic, I hope that it will finish. But we will wait to see the outcome.

Actually Dhakaiya and Clearsky are both correct. The Orion Group was also highly involved in the recent Oriental Bank scam. There are in fact hefty charges against them. However, construction of the City Centre building seemed to be on even earlier this week. I'll give a proper update in the near future since I go to work in the Motijheel area.

Hi Everyone,
This is Ragib Hasan from Bangla Wikipedia (http://bn.wikipedia.org). In both Bangla and English Wikipedia, we are working on a lot of articles on Bangladesh.

The problem we face now is of the lack of photos. Wikipedia can only use freely licensed photos. So, only user contributed photos, old copyright expired photos (taken before 1947), and those whose photographer gave permission - can be uploaded.

Last month, I took a lot of photos of old Dhaka. I think Tmac has posted a lot of them here ... the one from Hoseni Dalan, Lalbagh Kella, Dhakeshwari Temple, Khan Mohammad Mirdha's mosque etc.

I've uploaded a lot of them at Wikipedia's free-licensed image repository at http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Dhaka and http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Bangladesh

But we need more photos. I found a lot of photos in this forum, many posted by the persons who took them. The Wikipedia projects on Dhaka and Bangladesh will greatly be benefited if we could use those photos. You can contribute a photo under GNU Free Documentation License, or Creative Commons Attribution license. In both cases, you can mandate that you must be given attribution as the photographer, so your copyright is preserved.

We need to preserve the cultural heritage of Dhaka ... a city of monuments that are gradually being engulfed by the urban sprawl.

Feel free to contact me at ragibhasan AT gmail DOT com

Ragib, our sole mission is to help Bangladesh in whatever way we can. Feel free to use any photo.

Great. I'll just need two piece of info for each photo ...


who is the photographer, and

whether he/she is ok with free licenses like GFDL or Creative commons licenses (for example, Creative commons attribution license http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.5/ ).


http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5e/Khan_Mohammad_Mirdhas_Mosque_Dome_by_Ragib_Hasan.jpg/800px-Khan_Mohammad_Mirdhas_Mosque_Dome_by_Ragib_Hasan.jpg


An example photo is the one I posted in this post ... Khan Mohammad Mirdha's mosque (estd. 1706 ), which is from this page (http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Image:Khan_Mohammad_Mirdhas_Mosque_Dome_by_Ragib_Hasan.jpg) of Wikimedia commons, and was released under GFDL/Creative commons attribution license.

so Ragib you are from Chittagong? When was the last time you were there? Any exciting on-going projects in the port city?

so Ragib you are from Chittagong? When was the last time you were there? Any exciting on-going projects in the port city?

Well, I was born and brought up in Chittagong, and was there until going to BUET for my Engineering studies. My parents have just moved to Dhaka. During my last visit to BD, I visited Ctg for only 2 days earlier this month (it was right after Eid, on the 3rd day, to visit my wife's relatives).

I do have some very nice photos of the new "Jia Smriti Park", which is actually a very nice theme park, built around the Kalurghat Radio Transmitter, location of the Declaration of Independence. I'll upload it as soon as I get my laptop charged :). The park has a 300 feet tall tower, with a revolving restaurant at the top, and also small scale replicas of all the major monuments of the country.

I wish I could be in ctg for more time ... I plan to do a photo shoot during my next visit (prob. in dec this year).

our Chittagong thread needs your photos badly.

Rajib...have you got pics of the revolving restaurant(exterior and interior) in the park?If you do,then it would be great if you could post them.

Sure. I've just uploaded the photos to my flickr page at http://www.flickr.com/photos/ragibhasan (You'd get the higher resolution versions there)

I couldn't take more as it was almost 5.30 pm, and the sun was already gone. So, I could manage to take pictures of only the first few items/monument replicas I visited. Also, I didn't have time to go up in the tower ... but the view should be awesome during daytime.

Here are some:
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/166/374713479_f2e5846a05.jpg

This is the entrance to the complex.

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/177/374713777_d472530820.jpg

The tower. The revolving restaurant at the top revolves once per hour. people have to pay 150 taka to go there, but this includes a good meal (dinner or lunch), so that's not too bad.

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/174/374714206_2a07dacef9.jpg

Replica of Supreme Court, Curzon Hall. Ahsan Manjil

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/180/374713882_65d6706b42.jpg

Kalurghat Transmitter, Chittagong. This is the place from which the Declaration of Independence of Bangladesh was announced by Major Ziaur Rahman, on 27th March, 1971, at the start of Bangladesh Liberation War.

In the foreground, you can see the monorails of the theme park / memorial complex built around it.

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/135/374715051_e11b217890.jpg

Replica of the Sona Masjid.

Oh, I realized that this was the Dhaka Project thread, so I reposted the photos to the Ctg thread at http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?p=11554901#post11554901

Thanks Dhakaiya, Tmac (and anyone who felt the same) for the welcome...
I am very new here...I was just looking for a skyline pic of Dhaka on the net, this brought me here, right on this gold mine! A mine not only for great pics but also geat lively peoples.And I 've been following all your (especially Tmac,mirza- hat's off to you!) pics,ideas,thoughts,carings abt BD etc. and I feel I am overhelmed by the vibrancy!
Thanks for all the sharings.Looking forward for even better continuation and being a part.
And Ragib vai, happy to see you here, I was in Dr. M.A.Rashid hall(BUET), you dont know me, but surely would remember the face if seen, as we shared the same tables for breakfast/lunch/dinner!
Apparently, most of the forumers are living abroad, though their feeling the need for the subway/monorail/more-flyovers in traffic-woe suffering Dhaka, I appreciate this most.

This is the gate of the old Armenian church in Old Dhaka. (Photo credits:Mahyay Alam Khan, Arafat and Hossain)

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/b3/Entrance_of_Armenian_Church_in_Old_Dhaka.JPG

This is a side view

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5c/Armenian_Church_in_Old_Dhaka.JPG/800px-Armenian_Church_in_Old_Dhaka.JPG

Some history:

This church was built by Armenians living in Dhaka, in 1781. There is also a 2.5 century old cemetery of Armenians beside the church.

Photo: Taken from Wikimedia Commons, distributed under Creative Commons/GFDL licenses. You are free to use copy, distribute and/or modify it, provided that you acknowledge the source/authors.

Ragib, these photos should be posted in Famous Landmarks thread. Dhaka Projects thread is for any new ongoing/upcoming projects in Dhaka.

Ragib, these photos should be posted in Famous Landmarks thread. Dhaka Projects thread is for any new ongoing/upcoming projects in Dhaka.

Hmm, my mistake. Moving to that thread ...sorry about this.

Hmm, my mistake. Moving to that thread ...sorry about this.

no problem Ragib. Your effort is much appreciated.

All of you guys please check your private messages.

In this pic early January approaching Gulshan from the east, you can see Nafi Tower (that's the name, right?) has topped out between Navana and Uday Towers. I tried to crop this image and blow up the part with the towers for closer view, but was unsuccessful at that...
http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r94/tanzirian/DSC00028.jpg
Photo taken same time of that highrise next to the Westin, also topped out:
http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r94/tanzirian/DSC00029.jpg

That Building being built next to Westin Dhaka in Gulshan Circle 2 will be called Dorin Tower. Framework of 27 floors is finished. Yeah, it will be finally a 27 storey one.

I have been trying to find out about this building in the middle for sometime...i have no idea how much taller it will be...everytime i count..i just see it getting taller and taller..btw..it was 24 storey the last time i checked.

another 23 storied building on East Panthapath? Nice!!! Nice find Mirza! What's this building in the middle of this picture? Near Westin Dhaka. Anyone know?

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v128/Tarik/Tarik2/Tarik3/Tarik4/gulshanskyline44.jpg

I guess its that Dorin Tower I posted about above.

I guess its that Dorin Tower I posted about above.

Thanks for the info Tareq,i have been trying to find out about it for a long time.Any idea who the developers are or where to find the rendering?

Ramna Shopping complex,Ramna

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j98/mirzazeehan/ramnashoppingcomplexramna.jpg

Gagan Shirish,Panthopath

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j98/mirzazeehan/gaganshirish16storeypanthopath.jpg

Ahmed Plaza,Panthopath

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j98/mirzazeehan/unknowntowerpanthopath.jpg

24 storey Monem Financial District(Under construction),sonargoan road

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j98/mirzazeehan/monemfinancialdistrictundercons.jpg

great update Mirza!

Mirza, check the link below. Orion Group is constructing 18 storied Accom Centre @ Banani.

http://www.orion-group.net/realestate.html

Mirza, check the link below. Orion Group is constructing 18 storied Accom Centre @ Banani.

http://www.orion-group.net/realestate.html

Yes Tmac,i posted the rendering in the 7th page of this thread under the title 'unknown tower,banani'.The building would look great when completed.

The aerial view of the Rajuk's Purbachal Hosuing project

http://www.thedailystar.net/2007/02/07/2007-02-07__city04.jpg

Modhumoti Model Town

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v193/Bangladesh/bangladesh1/modhumotimodeltown.jpg

Mirza, any photos of the City Center?

Mirza, any photos of the City Center?


Sorry Tmac,havent had the time to go to that area.

Holcim to supply cement for GP's corporate HQ

Holcim, a leading cement manufacturing company of the country, has signed an agreement with Associate Builders Corporation Ltd (ABC) recently.

Under the deal, Holcim will supply cement for construction of Grameenphone's (GP's) corporate headquarters (HQ) building in the city's Bashundhara area, said a press release.

Holcim, having presence in more than 7l countries, has a long tradition of supplying quality cement for construction of bridges, buildings and infrastructure projects in various countries in all the continents of the globe.

In maintaining this trend, Holcim cement has been used in major infrastructure icons in Bangladesh like Jamuna bridge, Bhairav bridge, Rupsha bridge and Pakshi bridge, recently completed Kanchan Bridge, Mukterpur bridge, and City Centre, etc.

http://www.financialexpress-bd.com/index3.asp?cnd=2/12/2007&section_id=7&newsid=52361&spcl=no

I wonder what the building will look like. Anyone have any more info on this project?

Panthapath-Rampura
Govt to start work soon on elevated roadway
Unb, Dhaka

The government has decided to immediately start construction of an elevated roadway from Panthapath to Rampura at a cost of Tk 530 crore to ease traffic congestion in the city.

The decision was taken at an inter-ministerial meeting at the LGRD ministry yesterday.


Presided over by LGRD Adviser Anwarul Iqbal, the meeting was attended, among others, by Dhaka City Mayor Sadeque Hossain Khoka.


The meeting decided to overcome all impediments to construction of the 3.5-km elevated roadway from Panthapath to Rampura.


It also decided quick implementation of the project for expansion of the road from Bijoy Swarani to Rangs Bhaban. Rajuk will take the necessary steps.


The meeting also discussed the problems of Zahura Market and parking facilities along the road from Gulshan-1 to Gulshan-2.

Source:http://www.thedailystar.net/2007/02/13/d70213012717.htm

Thanks for the news and pics, Mirza. Monem Financial should be a great addition to the Kawran cluster. Do we have any renders of the finished building?

Thanks for the news and pics, Mirza. Monem Financial should be a great addition to the Kawran cluster. Do we have any renders of the finished building?

Yep,but just this one

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j98/mirzazeehan/monemfinancialdistrict-1.jpg

Mirza, is the building nearing completion? What about the other buildings in Kawran Bazar that you mentioned?

Mirza, is the building nearing completion? What about the other buildings in Kawran Bazar that you mentioned?

No Tmac,The Monem Financial District(24 storey) will take atleast one more year to complete.The framework for 12 floors have already been completed.As for the other buildings,construction of the Royal tower started a few days back,another (to be 18 storey) Northern University tower is under construction and is already 7 floors up.Framework of about 13 floors of the NGIL tower nearby has also been completed.Construction of the Bank Asia Head office and the (18 storey) Borak Zahir Tower is yet to begin.Well,thats all for now,will be back with more news as more development takes place.

Some U/C Buildings


20 storey FarEast Tower,Topkhana road

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j98/mirzazeehan/fareasttowertopkhanaroad-1.jpg

Unknown 20 storey building,opposite to National Sports council Tower

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j98/mirzazeehan/ukowntoweropptoNSC.jpg

Unknown,Bijoy Nagar

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j98/mirzazeehan/unnknownbijoynagar.jpg

Al-Amin Millenniumsquare,Kakrail

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j98/mirzazeehan/AlaminMillenniumsquarekakrail.jpg

Al-Amin City,location not known

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j98/mirzazeehan/alamincity-centreuknown.jpg

awesome updates Mirza.

since the government is on the drive of confiscating property which were built with illicit fundings i wonder how many of the projects posted here will see the light of day

wow al amin looks pretty amazing.

since the government is on the drive of confiscating property which were built with illicit fundings i wonder how many of the projects posted here will see the light of day

i think what the government is doing is eventually going to lead to an even stronger economy and probably more foreign investments since they are finally fighting against corruption. So even if we do loose a lot of these projects, it is likely they will be replaced with even better projects.

Government actions will improve the economy. Just think, if large projects are confiscated and sold on auction- the amount of money Bangladesh could earn, and who knows- you might just see multinational companies buying these in auction!

I am wholly for the corruption crackdown, even if that means some of the projects we forumers love, get delayed a few years. Transparency International rates Bangladesh as the number one country for corruption. Normally, the government reaction to such reports are denial and indignance. But, whether you agree with the ranking or not, bribery and other forms of corruption are fairly endemic, and unless more is done, will prove a significant barrier in the long term development of the country.

I am eagerly for the TI report on Bangladesh for the year 2007,am sure it will hold a great surprise for the world.Anyways,I dont agree that most of the projects currently going on will be delayed,although some may be.There is a huge number of projects going on and so far,the government has revealed plans of arresting only a limited number of corrupt people who were at the top.These people are only developing some of the projects,so I dont think theres any need to worry yet.I fully support the current government's plan to build a corrupt free nation,as it would in the long run bring benefits beyond our imagination.

This might sound dumb but I wish this caretaker government would stay in power for a whole term and use that time to actually pursue the convictions against the politicians, businessmen, and other high profile people who have been looting the country to fill their pockets. First off, they're bringing to justice some people who were "untouchable" in the past. If they had a few more years, a lot more people would be brought to justice. And second, I'm worried that once this administration hands over the power to the party that wins the next election, a lot of these criminals with ties to the winning party will go free and I don't want that to happen. And finally, and maybe this is just me, I want to see the heads of all the political parties, especially the big 2, in hand-cuffs for all their crimes (commited directly and indirectly) and the fact that they turned a blind-eye towards the attrocities by their own people. Maybe that's just a dream...and it probably won't happen but at least now I can think something like that can actually happen and for that I am grateful to the people doing what they can to bring the criminals to justice.

This might sound dumb but I wish this caretaker government would stay in power for a whole term and use that time to actually pursue the convictions against the politicians, businessmen, and other high profile people who have been looting the country to fill their pockets. First off, they're bringing to justice some people who were "untouchable" in the past. If they had a few more years, a lot more people would be brought to justice. And second, I'm worried that once this administration hands over the power to the party that wins the next election, a lot of these criminals with ties to the winning party will go free and I don't want that to happen. And finally, and maybe this is just me, I want to see the heads of all the political parties, especially the big 2, in hand-cuffs for all their crimes (commited directly and indirectly) and the fact that they turned a blind-eye towards the attrocities by their own people. Maybe that's just a dream...and it probably won't happen but at least now I can think something like that can actually happen and for that I am grateful to the people doing what they can to bring the criminals to justice.

your not alone. most people i ve met want the caretaker government to stay in power for a while and clean up bangadeshi politics. its one of the few times the people of a nation actually support getting rid of democracy for a bit. and plus, its should be great news for all of us in ssc. a less corrupt bangladesh means a better economy and a better economy means more real estate projects :) .

Mirza, the under construction building on the right...is it Monem Financial? It looks to be on Mohakhali-tejgaon link road though.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v193/Bangladesh/bangladesh1/dhakastreets81.jpg

Construction of DSE Tower begins tomorrow

construction of Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) Tower begins tomorrow (Saturday) at city's Nikunja area.

"A total of Tk 1.25 billion will be spent to complete the new landmark building in Dhaka city within next three years," DSE president Abdullah Bokhari told reporters Thursday at a press conference.

Chief Adviser Fakhruddin Ahmed will lay the foundation stone of the 14-storied building.

DSE will finance the project cost at its own source, the bourse president said.

"We have for long felt the need for building a modern building since the growth of the stock market in the recent years marked a whopping rise," DSE senior vice president Ahmad Rashid said.

He said the DSE's daily transaction value now hovers around Tk 1.00 billion though it was only between Tk 300 million to Tk 400 million a few months back.

He said the new building will have all modern trading facilities with an upgraded trading capacity network.

"Besides, the new building will have the modern facilities to hold annual general meetings of the listed companies and other corporate conferences," Ahmad Rashid said.

Three basements will be reserved for car parking as 405 cars will be allowed to enjoy the facilities.

The first two floors will be reserved for banks and other financial institutions while there will be a mock trading hall and a media center on the first floor. The second floor will be exclusively used for the DSE office while the third to eleven floors will be allocated for the bourse members. A part of the 12th and 13th floor will be used for auditorium, members club, health club etc.

The DSE has already raised its membership to 230 from 195 to finance the construction of its own building.

The new 35 memberships were sold at Tk 280 million.

http://www.financialexpress-bd.com/index3.asp?cnd=2/23/2007&section_id=1&newsid=53430&spcl=no

Construction work on DSE's new building begins tomorrow

The construction work on Dhaka Stock Exchange's Tk 125 crore new building begins tomorrow in Nikunja area in the capital.

The new building to be known as DSE Tower will be complete within the next three years, DSE President Abdullah Bokhari told reporters yesterday at a press conference.

The country's premier bourse needs a modern infrastructure with the growth of the country's stock market, said DSE Senior Vice President Ahmad Rashid. He also said the new building will have all modern trading facilities with an upgraded trading capacity network.

Three basements of the building will be reserved for parking of about 405 cars.

The second floor will be exclusively used by DSE office while the third to eleven floors will be allocated for the bourse members.

Chief Adviser Fakhruddin Ahmed will lay the foundation stone of the 14-storey building. DSE will finance the project from its own source.

http://www.thedailystar.net/2007/02/23/d70223050661.htm

No Tmac,thats not the Monem Financial District,its the SPL Western Tower under construction.

Project name : Concord Sir Salimullah
Type : 16 storied apartment cum commercial building

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v193/Bangladesh/bangladesh1/concordsirsalimullah.jpg

^^ Tmac, where is that being built? It looks like a classy structure.

Anyone gone to REHAB yet? It will be a good place for update on projects!

Green Meadow, Banani, Dhaka
http://www.amgbd.com/meadow_big.jpg

Green Deluxe, Banani, Dhaka
http://www.amgbd.com/delux_ban_big.jpg

Green Island, Banani, Dhaka
http://www.amgbd.com/green%20island_big.jpg

Eden, Dhanmondi, Dhaka
http://www.amgbd.com/green%20eden_big.jpg

Navana Venus

http://www.navana-realestate.com/html/images/additional_images/venus_perspective.jpg

Navana Square
http://www.navana-realestate.com/html/images/additional_images/Square_PP_Lrg.jpg

Silver Dale
http://www.navana-realestate.com/html/images/additional_images/Silver_Dale_Presp_Lrg.jpg

Good news! Mirza informed me that he visited REHAB and he took a lot of pics!

Thats right guys,I did visit the REHAB fair.There were too many projects to take shots of ,and I only managed to get pics of some of them.Unfortunately,the place was too crowded(no wonder they sold about 500crore in 4 days!) and I couldn't note the details of most of the projects.Well,here they are:

PROJECTS IN DHAKA


Multiplan Rasheq Tower,Panthopath

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j98/mirzazeehan/multiplanrasheqtowerpanthopath.jpg

Borak DCC Complex,Banani

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j98/mirzazeehan/dccuniquecomplexbanani.jpg

Praasad Trade Center,Banani

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j98/mirzazeehan/praasadcenterbanani.jpg

SPL Western Tower,near Gulshan-1

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j98/mirzazeehan/spltowerneargulshan.jpg

Ideal City,unknown

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j98/mirzazeehan/DSC00585.jpg

Rangs Tower,Paltan

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j98/mirzazeehan/rangstowerpaltan.jpg

Dhaka Stock Exchange Tower,Nikunjo

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j98/mirzazeehan/dsetowernikunjjo.jpg

Agrani Building,unknown

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j98/mirzazeehan/agranibuildingunknown.jpg

ADC Empire,Satmosjid road,Dhanmondi

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j98/mirzazeehan/adcempireplazasatmasjidroaddhanmond.jpg

ADC Alta Plaza,Mirpur road,Dhanmondi

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j98/mirzazeehan/acdaltaplazamirpurroaddhanmondi.jpg

Hamid Plaza,Sonargoan Road

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j98/mirzazeehan/HamidPlazaSonargoanroad.jpg

Shakur's Emarat,Unknown

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j98/mirzazeehan/Shakursemaratunknown.jpg

Ena Tower De Olio,Dhanmondi

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j98/mirzazeehan/EnaDeOliounknown.jpg

Khaleque City,unknown

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j98/mirzazeehan/23022007396.jpg

Tokyo Square,Japan Garden City

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j98/mirzazeehan/tokyosquarejapangardencity.jpg

Ena Majid,Dhanmondi

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j98/mirzazeehan/EnaMajidDhanmondi.jpg

Unknown

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j98/mirzazeehan/unknowndhaka.jpg

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j98/mirzazeehan/unknowndhaka2.jpg

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j98/mirzazeehan/unknowndhaka3-1.jpg

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j98/mirzazeehan/Unknownunknown22.jpg

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j98/mirzazeehan/unknownunknown33.jpg

great coverage Mirza! Office buildings with wifi? Now that sounds nice!

Strong work, Dhakaiya and Mirza. There are some nice looking ones among those. Is Ena Majid really in Dhanmondi? I thought there was a height restriction there...or perhaps it has been lifted? Banani also used to have a residential height restriction, but it was relaxed last year.

Dhaka in a few decades will be an impressive sight - kind of a more modern version of Sao Paolo, with an sea of midrises.

there's no info on the United Heights buildings being constructed in Gulshan 2.

Some of the projects look really good.

Real estate boom is going on in full speed...:)

Great photos Mirza. Some of the designs are awesome. Can't wait till they're finished. Wish I could fast forward time!!