About Dhaka
Dhaka is the capital and the largest city of Bangladesh. Located on the banks of the Buriganga River, this city is the second largest economic city in South Asia after Mumbai. Dhaka’s GDP is of 162 billion US dollars. Dhaka is home to 11 percent of the total population of Bangladesh. Dhaka is the second largest in South Asia and the world in terms of population and is the 7th largest city. Dhaka is well known as the city of mosques and is rich in history and tradition. Dhaka is called the economic, political and cultural center of Bangladesh. Geographically, Dhaka is located in a very significant area. In the seventeenth century, old Dhaka was the provincial capital of Bangla i.e. Bengal during the Mughal Empire. Dhaka North City Corporation and Dhaka South City Corporation, two autonomous organizations, are engaged in the management of Dhaka city. Dhaka city is a heady mix of ancient and modern around almost every corner, with friendly locals as well as a wealth of historical monuments. Overall, Dhaka is one of the mega cities in the world.
Properties in Dhaka
The economy of Bangladesh is very Dhaka-centric. Therefore, the movement of all the people of Bangladesh towards Dhaka is quite noticeable. There are nice areas for living here. There are also beautiful and luxurious residential areas for the middle class. All kinds of people work in Dhaka city and the backward people of the society live in Dhaka. Dhaka, Gulshan, Banani Bashundhara, Dhanmondi are famous for having luxurious residential properties. There are many extras with all the conveniences of civic life. Furthermore, Mirpur Mohakhali Shyamoli Uttara Tejgaon Rampura Motijheel Malibagh Shyamoli are all very good places for living and business. Demand for residential and commercial properties across Dhaka city is very high. A property in Dhaka city is a dream come true for the people of Bangladesh.
Transportation
Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport is there to connect Dhaka city with the rest of the world. International flights are operated from here on various routes of the world. Moreover, the railway connection with the neighboring country India as well as different parts of Bangladesh is very good for the city. And by road, it is connected with the south-eastern part of Bangladesh. Dhaka-Chittagong highway. Barisal-Khulna has been connected to the south-western region through the Dhaka-Mawa highway. It is the most important road in Bangladesh ever since the construction of the Padma Bridge. In addition, Dhaka-Sylhet, Dhaka-Mymensingh, and Dhaka-Rangpur highway is connected to Dhaka by road system. Revolutionary transportation has been established with the city. Not only that, due to the presence of the Buriganga river, the travel by launch-steamer on various routes has been going on since ancient times. Above all, the transportation system of all districts of Dhaka in Bangladesh is excellent.
Dhaka as the capital
The National Parliament of the Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh is located in Agargaon, Dhaka. In addition, the residence of the Prime Minister, Gonobhaban, and the residence of the President, Bangabhaban, is located in Dhaka. The Bangladesh Secretariat, the highest court of Bangladesh, and the Bangladesh Supreme Court is also located in Dhaka, and the administrative center is in Dhaka. Most of the famous business companies of Bangladesh have their head offices located in Dhaka. It is the main place of the acclaimed national sightseeing places of Bangladesh such as Lalbagh Fort, Ahsan Manjil, Hatirjheel, National Memorial, Central Shaheed Minar, Baitul Mukarram Mosque, Tara Mosque, Mandir Mirza, etc.
Dhaka Metro (MRT Line 6)
Bangladesh recently (December 28, 2022) launched its first metro rail service in the capital, Dhaka. The Dhaka Metro Rail is a Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) Line 6 system which aims to provide public transport service in the metropolitan areas of Dhaka. This is the first metro in the country, and by completing the project, Bangladesh will take an important step on the road to its development. The main objective of the metro project is to reduce worsening traffic congestion in Dhaka and increase productivity by saving people’s time by providing a convenient and safe transportation system. The rail metro project will be a source of revenue for the government and will create significant value for the entire national economy. The people of Bangladesh hope that the government of the country will take more initiative to revive the economy of the country and continue pursuing new enriching projects that will help the country prosper.
The 20-kilometer (about 12-mile) line will serve 17 stations and connect the northern Dhaka region with government offices and hospitals, as stated by the Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited (DMTCL). It will eventually extend south across the city to the financial district of Motijheel. It will have 17 stations and 14 trains.
Dhaka Elevated Expressway (Uralsarak)
The highly anticipated Dhaka (Uralsarak) Elevated Highway is inaugurated on September 2, 2023. Dhaka elevated highway is another milestone in the country’s communications sector and would play an important role in reducing traffic congestion. Vehicles will reach Farmgate within 10 minutes from the airport via this road. You don’t have to sit in traffic jams like before. The toll rates set for the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (HSIA) -Farmgate section of the Dhaka Elevated Highway ranging from Tk 80 to Tk 400. Private car, microbus, pickup and light truck Tk 80, bus and minibus Tk 160, medium truck Tk 320 and heavy truck or trailer Tk 400.
The length of this section is about 11.5 km. It usually takes between an hour and an hour and a half to travel the 11.5 km between the airport and Farmgate. Sometimes it takes two to two and a half hours. But now it takes 10-12 minutes on the elevated highway. The total length of elevated expressway from Kaola, Kuril, Banani, Mohakhali, Tejgaon, Moghbazar, Kamalapur, Syedabad, Jatrabari to Qutubkhali on Dhaka-Chittagong highway is 46.73 km. Initially, the speed limit on the expressway will be 60 kmph and it will take 10 minutes for vehicles to cover the distance of 11 km from HSIA to Farmgate.
The total cost of the project is estimated at Tk 8,940 crore, while the viability gap funding is Taka 2,413 crore, which will be provided by the Bangladesh government. The project is owned 51 percent by Thailand-based company Ital-Thai Development Public Company, 34 percent by China-based company Shandong International Economic and Technical Cooperation Group and 15 percent by Sinohydro Corporation. After 21 and a half years of construction, the investment companies will collect the investment money by collecting the toll of the flyover.
Educational institutions
Although Dhaka University, Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology-BUET, Dhaka Medical College, Jahangirnagar University, etc. are famous educational institutions, Dhaka is the base of the government institutions of Bangladesh for higher education. Moreover, there are numerous private universities in Dhaka city, such as BRAC University, and North South University. There are many famous institutions including Ahsanullah University, Stamford University, Asia Pacific University, American International University. In secondary and higher secondary education systems, there is the Notre Dame College, Dhaka Residential Model College, Viqarunnisa Noon School and College, Dhaka City College, Holy Cross Girls School and College Rajuk Uttara Model. These colleges are quite popular and famous. Lastly, there are excellent primary all-Bengali and English medium schools.
Medical facilities
Dhaka Medical College Hospital is the most famous medical institution in Bangladesh. In addition, there are several government medical institutions in Dhaka. Almost all kinds of high quality medical services are provided from here in line with the outside world. Among private institutions, the Square Hospital, LabAid Hospital, and United Hospital are among the best Dhaka has to offer.
Entertainment
There are many places to visit in Dhaka city, such as the National Museum, National Zoo, Shahbag Shishu Park, Hatirjheel, Ahsan Manzil, and the Lalbagh Fort. Dhaka city has no shortage of parks and amusement centers in every area with great entertainment centers like Jamuna Future Park, Fantasy Kingdom, and the Water Kingdom. Dhaka is a very sportive capital. Here, you can find the national cricket stadium and the national football stadium. All in all, Dhaka is a very good place for entertainment.
Food and restaurants
There are many local and foreign food places in Dhaka. Old Dhaka is very famous for biryani, bakarkhani, and Mughlai food. There is a collection of beautiful local and foreign restaurants that should be tried by all. There are also several luxurious five star hotels here, such as the Pan Pacific Sonargaon, Radisson Blu Water Garden, The Westin Dhaka, La Meridien, Intercontinental Hotel etc.
Shopping
Jamuna Future Park is one of the largest shopping malls in Asia. This famous shopping mall is full of local and foreign brands. Bashundhara City is the first modern shopping mall in Bangladesh. This shopping mall located on Panthapath and has everything you need. There are many beautiful shopping malls in Dhaka city including Seemant Square, Tokyo Square, Dhaka New Market, and Mirpur Banarasi Palli. The main outlets of various domestic and foreign brands are also located in Dhaka. As such, Dhaka is an unrivaled shopping place.