Bangladesh to Get Another City Corporation as New City Awaits Approval

The administrative process to elevate the nearly 157-year-old Cox's Bazar Municipality into Bangladesh's newest City Corporation has officially commenced following directives from the Prime Minister's Office (PMO).

The PMO has instructed the Local Government Division (LGD) to take all necessary measures to complete the transition and submit a progress report at the earliest.

Information and Broadcasting Adviser Dr. Zahed Ur Rahman disclosed the development during a weekly press briefing at the Press Information Department (PID) conference room in the Secretariat on Tuesday (July 28).

The official directive was issued via an official memo signed by Md. Uzzal Hossain, Protocol Officer-1 at the PMO and Member Secretary of the Coordination Cell for Implementing MPs' Commitments and Expected Programs.

During the briefing, the Information Adviser also highlighted several key government decisions and development milestones:

• Rural Infrastructure & Women's Employment: A new project valued at Tk 2,082.12 crore has been approved for rural road maintenance and creating employment opportunities for underprivileged women. The Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) will execute the project by December 2029.

• Chattogram WASA Revenue Record: Chattogram WASA recorded a surge in monthly revenue collection, rising from its previous average of Tk 18–20 crore to Tk 26.80 crore. Daily water production also reached a record average of 49.60 crore liters.

• LGED Leadership Promotion: LGED Chief Engineer (Current Charge) Md. Belal Hossain has been promoted to Grade-1 status.

• Zila Parishad Administrator Appointments: Mahbuber Rahman Shamim has been appointed as the Administrator of Chattogram Zila Parishad. With this appointment, administrator assignments have been completed across 63 district councils, leaving only Thakurgaon Zila Parishad pending.