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Former Member of Parliament and prominent political analyst Golam Maula Rony has voiced strong opposition to the ongoing move to bring the Bashundhara Residential Area under the jurisdiction of the Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC).
In a recent video message, Rony shared his personal experience as a resident, contrasting the safety of Bashundhara with other parts of the capital. "I have lived in Dhanmondi for 30 years, but since moving to Bashundhara, I have never felt the insecurity often associated with civic life in Dhaka," he stated.
Rony highlighted that in areas like Dhanmondi, Purana Paltan, or the Press Club, he often feared leaving home during unrest or even carrying a wallet and mobile phone in the evenings. In contrast, he noted that during the four years his house was under construction in Bashundhara, he never encountered an incident requiring police intervention.
"What evidence is there that the current administration isn't simply trying to destroy the positive aspects of Bashundhara to make it like Kalabagan, Jhigatola, or Gulshan?" Rony questioned. He emphasized that the hundreds of thousands of residents in the area are significant contributors to the national economy, and their safety is paramount.
While acknowledging the government’s right to earn revenue, he argued that it should be done according to established rules without dismantling existing systems. He praised the area’s internal management, claiming it surpasses even highly regulated zones like Dhaka Cantonment.
"The system we have in Bashundhara is beautiful; you won't even find such disciplined rules in the Cantonment. There are no car accidents here, and no external traffic management is needed despite it being such a vast area," he said.
Comparing Bashundhara to its surroundings, the former MP pointed out the stark difference in urban order. "If you step outside to Badda Road, Madani Avenue, or the Badda Link Road, you cannot walk on the sidewalk for a single second. But when you enter Bashundhara, it is entirely different. Except for the Baridhara Diplomatic Zone, no other area can be compared to this."
Rony concluded by urging authorities not to destroy a functioning and disciplined residential system in the name of administrative takeover.
