Prime Minister Tarique Moves to Jamuna Residence

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is set to take up residence at the state guest house, Jamuna, in Dhaka. Situated on Hair Road, the property has been selected as his official residence due to its strategic proximity to the Secretariat and enhanced security arrangements. Meanwhile, the Department of Government Housing concluded the allocation of official residences to the new ministers and state ministers on Wednesday.

Currently, Professor Muhammad Yunus, former chief advisor of the recently dissolved caretaker government, occupies Jamuna. According to officials from the Ministry of Housing and Public Works, he is scheduled to vacate the property on 27 February. Mohammad Khalekuzzaman Chowdhury, Chief Engineer of the Public Works Department, told Prothom Alo that the Prime Minister intends to move in after minor renovation work is completed.

During the caretaker government, potential residences for the new Prime Minister were considered at the National Parliament House and in Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, but logistical constraints led to these options being discarded. Prime Minister Tarique Rahman currently resides in Gulshan, commuting from there to the Secretariat on Abdul Gani Road and to the Prime Minister’s Office in Tejgaon.

The Public Works Ministry further disclosed that the Prime Minister plans to host Iftar events during Ramadan and Eid greetings ceremonies at Jamuna, prompting the fast-tracking of renovation work. The Jamuna estate, located at 30 Hair Road, spans approximately 3.25 acres. Two neighbouring bungalows, 24 and 25 Hair Road, currently house senior security officers assigned to the former chief advisor. Once vacated, these will be reserved for officers under the Prime Minister’s security detail.

Under the ousted Awami League government, the Prime Minister’s official residence was Gonobhaban, which was extensively damaged during public unrest on 5 August 2024. The caretaker government subsequently decided to convert it into the ‘July Uprising Memorial Museum’, rendering it unsuitable as a residence.

Ministerial Residence Allocation

Dhaka’s Hair Road, Minto Road, and Bailey Road, collectively known as ‘Mintripara’, serve as ministerial quarters. Following the 12 February 13th Jatiya Sangsad elections, the BNP assumed power on 17 February, initiating the transfer of official residences from the caretaker government advisors. Most former advisors have vacated, with the remainder expected to do so shortly.

The Department of Government Housing has now finalised allocations. Some ministers will require minor renovations before moving in, expected to be completed after Eid-ul-Fitr.

Additionally, junior ministers will be accommodated in the Ministers’ Apartments on Hair Road, consisting of three ten-storey buildings with 10 flats per floor.

With these arrangements, the new Prime Minister and cabinet members are set to establish residence and operational headquarters across strategic locations in Dhaka efficiently.