The Savar-Ashulia City Corporation is being formed to make the trend of modern urbanization more well-organized and service-oriented. Locals hope that this government decision will bring about improved civic facilities and administrative activities. However, some structural challenges may also arise in the implementation.

Savar and Ashulia are known as industrial cities. However, uncontrolled urbanization, unplanned development of industries, educational institutions and residential areas have gradually turned this region into the center of various civic problems. With limited resources and manpower, Savar Municipality and the surrounding union parishads have been struggling to meet the civic needs of this huge population.

However, there are still mixed reactions among citizens about how much services will be expanded after the implementation of the city corporation.

One of the locals said, “We have a large number of lower middle class people here. But we want to stay in the position we are in now.”

Another person said, ‘The initiative of the City Corporation has been very good. However, the issue of tax collection will become a little difficult for the middle and lower class people here.’

Meanwhile, the decision to elevate Savar to a city corporation has been welcomed by the public representatives and the public. According to them, the formation of a city corporation will improve the quality of citizen facilities and services. However, they fear that along with improved services, citizen expenses may also increase.

Former municipal councilor Lion Md. Khorshed Alam said, ‘My proposal would be that if Savar City Corporation is established, all activities should be started together, considering the convenience of citizens.’

Arif Hossain, acting chairman of Savar Sadar Union, said, “If Savar becomes a city corporation, the quality of life of the people in the area will increase. The budget will increase, roads in the area will be developed. The drainage system will be better.”

Meanwhile, urban planners say that although planned urbanization can be ensured through the formation of a new city corporation, it is unreasonable to include Savar Upazila in the city corporation at this time for various reasons.

Professor of the Department of Urban and Regional Planning at Jahangirnagar University, Dr. Golam Moinuddin said, ‘Considering the performance and results of Savar Municipality for the past three decades, upgrading it to a city corporation at this time does not seem very logical or a very well-thought-out step to me.’

Many see the formation of the ‘Savar City Corporation’ as timely to address the pressures of unplanned urbanization. However, the biggest challenge now will be to overcome the lack of administrative preparation, specific planning, and effective coordination to make this initiative successful.