BNP Chairperson’s adviser and freedom fighter Abdus Salam said Dhaka’s severe urban crisis stems from illegal occupation of public land, unplanned urbanization, and lack of administrative coordination. Speaking on January 19, 2026, at a city dialogue in Gulshan organized by Gulshan Society and Urban Development Journalists Forum Bangladesh, he argued that establishing a city government is the only way to make Dhaka livable again.

Salam criticized the central government for not empowering local authorities, resulting in poor coordination among agencies such as city corporations, RAJUK, WASA, and DESCO. He said the mayor has almost no real power, while multiple agencies work without synchronization, making the city unmanageable. He also noted that splitting Dhaka City Corporation was a political decision that ignored public interest.

He outlined BNP’s ten-point urban vision under Tarique Rahman, focusing on clean governance, effective health services, youth employment, drug-free society, and improved urban management. Salam added that saving Dhaka requires national-level planning and protection of surrounding rivers, urging influential residents to take active roles in city reform.