Govt approves Bogura City Corporation, 5 new upazilas

The BNP-led government on Thursday approved the formation of Bogura City Corporation and five new upazilas across the country.

The approval came at the 120th meeting of the National Implementation Committee for Administrative Reforms/Reorganisation (NICAR), held at the Bangladesh Secretariat with Prime Minister Tarique Rahman in the chair, according to the prime minister’s press wing.

The newly approved upazilas are Mokamtola in Bogura, Matamuhuri in Cox’s Bazar, Ruhia and Bhulli in Thakurgaon, and Chandraganj in Lakshmipur.

Under the decision, Mokamtola upazila will be formed by dividing Shibganj upazila in Bogura district, while Matamuhuri upazila will be created by splitting Chakaria upazila in Cox’s Bazar.

Besides, Thakurgaon Sadar upazila will be divided to form two new upazilas – Ruhia and Bhulli – while Chandraganj upazila will be formed by dividing Lakshmipur Sadar.

According to sources, the government took the decision as part of efforts to strengthen administrative structures and make public services more citizen-friendly. With the latest approval, the total number of upazilas in the country has risen to 500.

According to district administration reports, the restructuring initiative was undertaken considering geographical realities and population distribution to bring administrative services closer to people’s doorsteps.

The Local Government Division said Bogura fulfilled all required conditions in terms of area, population and infrastructure capacity.

Earlier, a pre-NICAR committee unanimously recommended the proposal. With the latest decision, Bogura has become the country’s 13th city corporation, marking a significant administrative upgrade for the northern district.

Before the approval, Bangladesh had 12 city corporations and 495 upazilas.

Bogura to get international airport, flying academy and modern airbase

The government has also taken an initiative to upgrade Bogura Airfield into an international-standard airport alongside plans to establish a full-fledged air force base and a flying academy for pilot training.

As part of the initiative, Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Afroz Khanam visited the airfield for an on-site inspection on Thursday morning, travelling by a special Bangladesh Air Force helicopter.

Later in the afternoon, the minister, state ministers and the Chief of Air Staff confirmed the plans at a press briefing following their inspection of Bogura Airfield and surrounding areas.

During the visit, Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Afroz Khanam, State Minister M Rashiduzzaman Millat, LGRD State Minister Mir Shahe Alam, and Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Hasan Mahmood Khan were present.

At the briefing, the aviation minister said the delegation visited Bogura under the directive of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman.

She said the region would be transformed into one of the country’s major aviation hubs by utilising the potential of the northern region.

She further said the people of Bogura were “fortunate” as the ministry’s major aviation development plan was beginning from the district.

State Minister M Rashiduzzaman Millat said that alongside upgrading the airport to international standards, a 10,500-foot runway is planned to allow both domestic and international aircraft to land.

He added that the government has also taken initiatives to expand the airfield with a pilot training academy and cargo facilities, aiming to open a new horizon in communication, trade and aviation in the northern region.

Air Chief Marshal Hasan Mahmood Khan said the Prime Minister had already given primary approval for the airbase.

“An advanced airbase will be constructed in the northern region. It is my commitment,” he said, adding that modern training and operational facilities would be developed there.

Local lawmakers, the chairman of the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB), and senior civil and military officials were also present during the inspection.

Officials expect the project to bring significant changes to the economic landscape of Bogura as well as the wider northern and north-western regions of the country.