Bogura is on the verge of becoming the country’s newest city corporation.
On Sunday, District Commissioner Hosna Afroza issued a public notice announcing the move, signaling Bogura’s upcoming transformation into one of Bangladesh’s major city corporations.
According to sources, under the City Corporation Formation Rules 2010, a public notice must be issued to gather opinions and resolve any objections before submitting a final report.
In line with this, on April 10, the Local Government Division (City Corporation-2 branch) sent a letter, signed by Deputy Secretary Md. Firoz Mahmud, to Bogura District Commissioner.
Copies were also sent to the municipal administrator and other relevant authorities. The directive specified that the public notice should be issued by April 28, but the District Commissioner acted a day early.
District Commissioner Hosna Afroza stated that under existing laws, a city corporation requires a municipal area with a population of at least 400,000. Bogura’s permanent population exceeds 450,000.
Additionally, while the required population density is 3,000 per square kilometer, Bogura boasts a density of 5,843.
Former municipal councilor Sipar Al Bakhtiar commented that Bogura has long been deprived of development, allegedly facing discrimination during the Awami League's rule.
He emphasized that, in the interest of development, Bogura — the birthplace of BNP founder and former President Ziaur Rahman — should promptly be declared a city corporation.
Commissioner Hosna Afroza further explained that the demarcation process was conducted based on administrative land units (mouzas), and that the formation of Bogura City Corporation is now only a matter of time.
She expressed optimism that the new city corporation would significantly contribute to Bogura’s overall development.
Bogura Municipality, established in 1876, was elevated to “Category A” status in 1981. Its area gradually expanded to 14.76 square kilometers by 2000 and later to 69.56 square kilometers by 2004. Currently, Bogura Municipality comprises 21 wards across nearly 70 square kilometers. To qualify as a city corporation, an area must be at least 25 square kilometers, and Bogura already meets this requirement.
The official population stands close to 1 million, although local sources claim the actual number is even higher — making it larger than many existing city corporations in terms of both area and population.
Former mayor Advocate Mahbubur Rahman stated that Bogura is a "growing city" and suggested that city corporation status should have been granted earlier. He called for swift action to implement the change.
District Commissioner Hosna Afroza also mentioned that several development projects are already underway in Bogura. She explained that the public notice for the city corporation status was part of a broader development strategy.
Locals will have 10 days to submit feedback or objections following the notice, after which authorities will finalize and submit the report. Upon submission, the Ministry of Local Government will issue the official gazette notification confirming Bogura’s new status.
