Nurul Amin khan Sylhet Bureau Chief: A plan to transform Sylhet into a modern tourism hub is underway, with visible improvements expected within the next two to three years, said the Minister for Textile and Jute, as well as Commerce and Industry, Khondaker Abdul Muktadir MP, at a development coordination meeting held at the Sylhet City Corporation auditorium on Saturday.

Speaking as the chief guest, the minister said the government aims to develop Sylhet into a “vibrant city” featuring a dynamic environment, cultural diversity, and strong economic activity. He added that involving around one million residents would be key to building a sustainable and aesthetically improved urban center.

He emphasized that all development projects must prioritize sustainability and warned that without immediate and effective action, low-lying areas could become uninhabitable in the future due to worsening waterlogging.

The minister also highlighted that resolving waterlogging is a top priority and that urgent interventions are being planned.

The meeting was chaired by Sylhet City Corporation Administrator Abdul Kaiyum Chowdhury, who stated that coordinated efforts are ongoing to develop the city as a “green and clean city,” and expressed optimism that collective action would help achieve a modern urban transformation.

Presentations during the meeting included a PowerPoint briefing on waterlogging mitigation, a proposed design for the Laldighirpar Super Market, and interior design concepts for the City Corporation building. Ongoing development projects were also reviewed in detail.

The meeting was conducted by City Corporation Secretary Md. Ashiq Noor. Chief Executive Officer Mohammad Reza Rafin Sarkar delivered the welcome speech, while Special Guest Secretary of the Ministry of Industries Md. Obaidur Rahman also addressed the gathering.

Experts and officials presented various development proposals, including engineer Tanmoy Chaki on waterlogging solutions, architect Shakur Majid on the Laldighirpar market design, and architect Intekhab Hossain on the proposed interior design of the city corporation building.

Special guests included Shahjalal University of Science and Technology Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. A. M. Sarwar Uddin Chowdhury and Sylhet Metropolitan BNP General Secretary Imdad Hossain Chowdhury.

The session began with religious recitations, including Quran recitation by Chief Engineer Md. Ali Akbar and Gita recitation by Jyotish Chakraborty.