Overcoming the severe scars of arson and widespread damage, Kesharhat Pourashava under Mohanpur Upazila in Rajshahi is rebuilding itself. On August 4, 2024, during the anti-discrimination student movement, miscreants set fire to the municipality building, reducing the entire structure and all official documents to ashes, resulting in an estimated loss of BDT 8.10 crore.
Rising above that catastrophe under the visionary leadership and firm steps of Kesharhat Pourashava Administrator and Mohanpur Assistant Commissioner (Land) Zobayda Sultana, full administrative operationality has returned to the municipality, revitalizing civic services.
Rising like a phoenix from the debris, a groundbreaking 20-year draft master plan spanning from 2027 to 2047 has been adopted to turn Kesharhat into a planned, sustainable, climate-resilient, and modern agro-commercial hub.
On Tuesday (August 18) at 10:00 AM, a stakeholder consultation meeting on this draft master plan was held at the Mohanpur Upazila Hallroom under the Improving Urban Governance and Infrastructure Project (IUGIP) of the Local Government Engineering Department (LGED).
Formulated through the vision of Pourashava Administrator Zobayda Sultana, the master plan presents a comprehensive roadmap for a complete overhaul of Kesharhat's infrastructure and public services:
Water Supply and Sanitation
As there is currently no integrated supply system, forcing residents to rely entirely on groundwater, the proposal includes a long-term installation of a 24.68 km water supply pipeline (8.13 km short-term, 5.62 km mid-term, and 10.84 km long-term).
Roads and Drainage Infrastructure
Out of the municipality’s 66.27 km road network, steps have been taken to repair and reconstruct 41.77 km (over 63 percent) of damaged roads. Furthermore, to mitigate flooding and waterlogging, 23.56 km of rivers and canals will be reclaimed from illegal occupation and dredged to restore navigability, accompanied by the construction of a new drainage network.
Modern Waste Management
To manage the 12 tonnes of solid waste generated daily, plans have been set in motion to construct designated secondary transfer stations and a modern sanitary landfill.
Future Demographics and Urban Planning
Considering a projected population of 30,720 by 2047, initiatives are underway for planned urbanization while preserving agricultural land and the environment. Civic amenities will feature 1 SMG stand, 4 neighborhood complexes, 5 parks/playgrounds, 1 passenger town, 1 planned residential area, 2 primary schools, 4 public toilets, and 5 Ward Councillor offices.
Pourashava Administrator Zobayda Sultana stated, "Even though municipal services came to a standstill amid adverse circumstances, we worked tirelessly to restore them. Our ultimate goal now is to build a clean and modern Kesharhat by 2047."
The meeting was attended by Upazila Agriculture Officer Kamrul Islam, Department of Public Health Engineering Officer Engineer Rakibul Islam, Kesharhat Pourashava Engineer Sardar Md. Jahangir Alam, and Primary Education Officer Laila Arjuman, among other officials.
Additionally, Senior Urban Planner and Deputy Team Leader of the IUGIP project Shamaun Al Noor, Urban Planner Farhana Rahman, and Project Engineer A.B.M. Zahirul Islam Mafi participated in the session.
At the local level, Kesharhat Pourashava BNP General Secretary Mashiur Rahman, former General Secretary Assistant Professor Khushbor Rahman, former Pourashava BNP President Kamruzzaman Abu Hena, former Organizational Secretary and businessman Osman Ali, student leader Selim Reza, Kesharhat Bazar Merchant Association General Secretary Mohammad Ali Bachchu, and District Volunteer Wing Joint Convenor Raisul Islam Russel, along with representatives from all walks of life, expressed their satisfaction with the administrative capacity and development-oriented initiatives of the Pourashava Administrator.
Stakeholders expressed optimism that this draft master plan will be executed swiftly through necessary funding and phased implementation.
