The government is building a 9030 square foot flat for ministers with modern facilities

Government Greenlights Construction of Three Luxurious Residential Towers in Dhaka’s Ministerial Zone

The Government of Bangladesh has approved an ambitious project to construct three high-rise residential buildings in Dhaka’s prestigious ministerial zone, aiming to provide accommodation for ministers, state ministers, deputy ministers, and heads of constitutional institutions. The project, valued at BDT 78.6 billion, will deliver 72 expansive flats ranging in size from 8,500 to 9,030 square feet.

The proposed towers will be located on Bailey Road and Minto Road, areas traditionally designated as ministerial quarters alongside Hair Road. Currently, the ministerial zone hosts 15 bungalows for cabinet members and three “Ministers’ Apartments” on Bailey Road, each containing ten flats measuring approximately 5,500 square feet. In addition, accommodations for ministers are available in Gulshan and Dhanmondi, bringing the total number of flats and bungalows under government housing management to 71 units. Despite this ample provision, officials have justified the new construction citing vacancy in existing units following political transitions in August 2024, which left several properties unoccupied.

Proposed New Buildings Overview

Each flat will feature multiple bedrooms, dining and living spaces, offices, and six bathrooms. The design also includes modern amenities such as rooftop swimming pools, community spaces, and fitness facilities, with a proposed allocation of BDT 30 million for pool equipment and BDT 20 million for furnishings and curtains. However, government officials have expressed concerns over the costs and maintenance of these facilities.

Critics argue that constructing such lavish residences is incongruous with the nation’s current economic hardships. According to former World Bank Dhaka chief economist Zahid Hossain, the government faces substantial fiscal pressures, including a BDT 46 billion shortfall in revenue collection in the first half of the 2025-26 financial year, alongside commitments to public sector salary increases and large-scale infrastructure spending.

Legal experts and transparency advocates have also raised ethical concerns about housing arrangements. Senior Supreme Court lawyer Shahdeen Malik noted that co-locating executive officials with members of the judiciary or constitutional bodies in the same complex could compromise impartiality and create conflicts of interest. Transparency International Bangladesh echoed this view, highlighting potential issues with accountability and governance.

The Public Works Department will oversee construction, with a completion target set for 2028. While ministers’ current flats measure approximately 5,500 square feet, the new accommodations will be almost six times larger, dwarfing typical middle-class housing in Dhaka, which averages 1,500 square feet. The project has sparked a debate over the balance between state provision for officials and broader socioeconomic priorities, particularly at a time when millions of citizens struggle with high inflation and limited access to basic necessities.