The Sylhet Development Authority, known as SIUK, has formally begun operations to pursue planned, coordinated and sustainable development in Sylhet city. Its temporary office at Hotel Fortune Garden in the Nayorpool area was inaugurated on Tuesday afternoon by Commerce, Textiles and Jute and Industries Minister Khandkar Abdul Muktadir MP and Housing and Public Works Minister Zakaria Taher MP.

SIUK said it will work on a master plan and implement short-, medium- and long-term plans to address prolonged unplanned urbanisation, weak coordination among development agencies and challenges linked to future city expansion. Khandkar Abdul Muktadir described the launch of the new government institution as welcome news for Sylhet residents and said it must play an effective role in the city’s future development and urban management.

The minister stressed that government and service-providing agencies need coordination while implementing development projects, warning that a lack of coordination can create new problems after work is completed. Earlier, SIUK Chairman Rezaul Hasan Kays Lodi said proposals had been sent to the Housing and Public Works Ministry to create 714 posts in 67 revenue-sector categories, along with staffing needs, pay structures, recruitment qualifications and regulations.