Residents of the Bashundhara Residential Area have strongly opposed a proposal to bring the locality under the jurisdiction of the Dhaka North City Corporation, saying the area’s existing governance system ensures better safety, cleanliness, and service management.

Bashundhara is widely considered one of the country’s most organized and well-planned residential zones. Residents claim the area has maintained a high standard of security and civic management through the Bashundhara Welfare Society, without reliance on city corporation services.

They argue that the current system has kept the locality safe, clean, and largely free from crime and drug-related activities. According to them, private security personnel and extensive CCTV coverage at entry points have helped maintain strict control over access to the area.

Residents say they do not want the existing management structure changed, fearing that inclusion under DNCC could disrupt security arrangements and reduce service efficiency. They also expressed concern that it could lead to increased informal vendors, outsiders, and possible deterioration of discipline and cleanliness.

In protest, residents have submitted a collective consent letter to the authorities opposing the proposed inclusion. A formal letter was also sent on May 6 to the DNCC administrator by Bashundhara Welfare Society President Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Iqbal, MP, and Secretary General Captain (retd) Sheikh Ehsan Reza, urging reconsideration of the decision.

The welfare society stated that all civic services in the area — including road maintenance, drainage cleaning, waste management, street lighting, water supply, mosquito control, and security — are currently managed through its own funding without financial support from DNCC.

It also noted that development planning has already been approved through 2034 and that residents had earlier expressed unwillingness to be placed under city corporation jurisdiction.

Residents further highlighted that the area hosts major hospitals, universities, educational institutions, sports facilities, a golf club, shopping malls, and parks, making it one of the country’s most developed residential zones.

Concerns were also raised over recent DNCC notices regarding holding tax and service charges, which residents say have created financial and administrative uncertainty.

The welfare society has called for suspension of all tax and service charge collection until a final decision is made regarding the area’s administrative status, and has formally requested that Bashundhara Residential Area remain outside DNCC jurisdiction.