Lack of budget, planning leaves Rangpur City Corporation lagging behind

More than 13 years after its establishment, Rangpur City Corporation (RCC) continues to struggle to provide minimum civic services, with residents and civil society alleging prolonged neglect and discriminatory budget allocation.

Established on June 28 2012, RCC covers 205.70 square kilometres, incorporating 33 wards, 112 mouzas and 442 localities. Despite its size and an official population of over 826,000, the city faces severe shortages in infrastructure and essential services.

According to official data, of the total 1,654.14 kilometres of roads, around 351 kilometres remain unpaved, while nearly 70% of paved roads are in poor condition, causing significant transport disruptions. Drainage facilities are also inadequate, with only 441 kilometres of drains and no modern system for water discharge, resulting in frequent waterlogging.

The crisis became evident in 2020 when heavy rainfall triggered severe waterlogging across the city, submerging major areas for days. Key waterbodies, including Shyamasundari canal, KD canal, Ichamati and Chikli beel, remain encroached and poorly managed, with no comprehensive master plan in place.

Water supply remains critically insufficient. Only 327 kilometres of pipelines have been installed, serving about 5,000 households out of more than 98,000 registered holdings. Of the five water reservoirs, only two are operational, while just four of 26 deep tube wells are functioning, leaving residents facing a persistent shortage of clean water.

Street lighting is also inadequate, with around 20,000 lights covering less than half the city, leaving many roads in darkness and raising security concerns.

Sanitation and waste management systems are underdeveloped. With only 170 dustbins across the city, waste is often dumped in open places such as Nachnia Beel and near major hospital facilities, posing environmental and public health risks. Although there are 23 registered markets, infrastructure development remains minimal, forcing traders and customers to operate in poor conditions. The city corporation also lacks sufficient recreational and educational facilities, with no standard playgrounds and no quality schools or colleges established under its initiative.

Besides, around 65 slums in the city have seen little improvement, lacking basic living conditions and essential services. Amid such conditions, civic organisations have criticised what they describe as long-standing budget inequality. Fakhrul Anam Benju, president of Citizens for Good Governance (Rangpur), said the city has been deprived of adequate allocations regardless of political leadership over the years.

RCC Administrator Mahfuz Un Nabi Chowdhury acknowledged the situation, stating that efforts are underway to address key sectors and communicate the city’s needs to relevant government ministries.

Residents and civil society leaders have urged the government to ensure fair budget allocation and take immediate steps to improve infrastructure and basic civic services in Rangpur.