Bangladesh to relocate agricultural university for Secretariat expansion
The government has revived a 60-year-old plan to move Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University from its current Dhaka campus to Salna in Gazipur. This decision paves the way for a Tk4,000 crore new Secretariat complex in Agargaon, with construction set to begin on 16 December. The original proposal dates back to 1965, when it was first introduced alongside plans for the National Parliament House.
Land in Salna has already been allocated for the university’s relocation, though no physical transfer has occurred. Meanwhile, the Public Works Ministry is adjusting the budget after the housing minister ordered spending to be limited to Tk4,000 crore, down from an initial estimate of Tk4,200 crore. The Cabinet has given preliminary approval, and conceptual designs—presented to Prime Minister Tarique Rahman in October—include a mosque, two multipurpose halls, and 30% green space across 31.58 acres.
The new Secretariat will replace the existing complex in Agargaon, which covers 17.57 acres and includes buildings from 1937–39. Officials point to structural risks from seismic activity as justification for the move, though the decision follows the shelving of a plan to build a 21-story tower on the current site. The relocation plan gained momentum after the government dropped this separate proposal.
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How Dhaka’s Secretariat and courts will reshuffle
Relocation will require adjustments in how government buildings are used. The Dhaka Judge Court will shift from Sadarghat to the current Secretariat on Abdul Gani Road, while tax zones and directorates may occupy additional space there. Urban planners have expressed concerns about Agargaon’s congestion and inadequate road infrastructure. An urban planner noted the area serves as a vital open space in a city already facing severe green space shortages.
On 18 October, the Cabinet approved the relocation after reviewing three architectural designs, with the prime minister selecting one for further development. The plans include 14 twelve-story buildings, three basement levels for parking, and provisions for emergency medical services. Traffic solutions, such as widened roads and underpasses, will connect the site to the adjacent Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre.
The government’s push to relocate the Secretariat aligns with efforts to secure UNESCO World Heritage status for the National Parliament House, designed by Louis I Kahn. Officials claim moving the university to Salna would follow Kahn’s original master plan for Agargaon, freeing land for administrative use. However, the Department of Architecture warned that unauthorized land use, such as students occupying part of the site for rice research, could complicate the transition.
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Students’ rice field stalls university relocation plans
Students from Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University recently set up an unapproved rice research field on part of the Agargaon site, erecting signboards and ropes to mark the area. The Department of Architecture classified this as illegal occupation, stating the land is reserved exclusively for administrative purposes. Officials warned that such encroachments could delay the university’s relocation, despite land already being allocated in Salna. No formal timeline has been set for the move.
The Public Works Ministry is drafting a detailed project proposal for the new Secretariat, targeting completion by June 2029.
Urban planners continue to voice concerns about Agargaon’s suitability, emphasizing its congestion and limited infrastructure for large-scale construction. Purbachal New Town was suggested as a better option, warning that Agargaon’s relocation would further strain Dhaka’s road network. The planners’ objections focus on environmental and logistical challenges.
