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State Minister for Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Mir Shahe Alam has said that the cost of mega projects is determined by engineers, not political figures, stressing the need for planned urban development to ensure sustainable growth.
Speaking as the chief guest at a seminar titled “Successes and Failures in Project Management” in the capital on Saturday, he said project costs are set based on technical designs, feasibility studies, infrastructure requirements and actual demand.
“Debates over the cost of mega projects are common, but these costs are not fixed by politicians. They are determined through engineering assessments and planning,” he said.
Highlighting challenges in urbanisation, the state minister blamed unplanned development largely on public non-compliance with regulations rather than government policy.
He noted that ignoring approved plans—such as the Detailed Area Plan (DAP)—and constructing buildings indiscriminately around infrastructure have made it difficult to implement effective urban planning in Dhaka.
He said such unregulated expansion creates major obstacles to road widening, drainage improvements and delivery of urban services.
Emphasising a shift in policy, Alam said the government is moving away from fragmented small-scale projects toward long-term, integrated and sustainable urban planning to meet the needs of a growing population.
He also urged citizens to follow approved designs and building codes, warning that failure to comply at the individual level undermines broader development efforts.
On energy security and environmental sustainability, the minister said the government is prioritising renewable energy.
He called on engineers to incorporate solar power systems into residential building designs, noting that early integration would reduce future energy pressure and support environmental protection.
The seminar brought together engineers, policymakers and experts to discuss project planning, implementation, cost management and sustainable urban development.
