Bangladesh Approves Three New Upazilas and One Police Station

The National Implementation Committee for Administrative Reorganisation (NICAR) has approved the creation of three new upazilas (sub-districts) and one new police station to enhance local governance and public service delivery. The newly established upazilas are ‘Fatikchhari North’ in Chittagong, ‘Bangra’ in Comilla, and ‘South Gafargaon’ in Mymensingh. Additionally, a new police station named ‘Halda’ will be established in the Chittagong district.

The decision was finalised during NICAR’s 121st meeting on Wednesday, held at the Public Administration Conference Room of the Cabinet Division at the Bangladesh Secretariat. Prime Minister Tarique Rahman presided over the high-level session.

Restructuring Local Administrative Boundaries

According to the approved proposals, the boundaries of several existing administrative territories will be redrawn to facilitate better operational efficiency. The newly formed Fatikchhari North upazila will be carved out of the existing Fatikchhari upazila in Chittagong, integrating six local unions under its new jurisdiction. This restructuring aims to alleviate the difficulties faced by residents of the remote northern areas in accessing central sub-district services.

In Comilla, the expansive Muradnagar upazila is set to be divided to accommodate the newly formed Bangra upazila. Meanwhile, in Mymensingh, South Gafargaon upazila will be established by pooling eight unions that currently fall under the jurisdiction of Pagla Police Station within the existing Gafargaon upazila. To further strengthen law enforcement and security oversight in the region, the existing Hathazari Police Station in Chittagong will be bifurcated to form the independent Halda Police Station.

Strategic Expansion of Capital Jurisdiction

Beyond the creation of new rural administrative zones, the committee approved a significant territorial realignment involving the capital’s urban development scheme. Portions of the Purbachal New Town project—managed by the Capital Development Authority (RAJUK)—that previously fell within the geographical boundaries of the Narayanganj and Gazipur districts will now be formally integrated into the Dhaka district. This modification is expected to streamline municipal administration, civil policing, and infrastructure development across the massive residential project.

The critical policy meeting saw the attendance of several senior cabinet ministers and top-tier bureaucrats. Among the key dignitaries present were LGRD and Cooperatives Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, Finance and Planning Minister Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury, Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed, and Commerce Minister Khandaker Abdul Muktadir.

The session also included Law Minister Md Asaduzzaman, Road Transport and Bridges, Railways, and Shipping Minister Sheikh Rabiul Alam, Housing and Public Works Minister Zakaria Taher, and Minister of State for Public Administration Abdul Bari. Cabinet Secretary Nasimul Ghani and the Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister, ABM Abdus Sattar, alongside secretaries from the respective ministries, provided administrative briefings during the legal and logistical assessments.