Chattogram authorities grapple with lawless settlement sprawl

A sprawling informal settlement in Chattogram is drawing comparisons to Jungle Salimpur, the densely populated unplanned neighbourhood in Dhaka known for lawlessness and criminal activity. Authorities have expressed alarm over the growing scale and complexity of the Chattogram settlement, which residents and officials alike describe as increasingly difficult to govern.

The settlement, which has expanded rapidly in recent years, mirrors many characteristics of Jungle Salimpur, including inadequate infrastructure, limited government presence, and reported involvement of criminal networks. Residents face challenges accessing basic services, while law enforcement officials acknowledge difficulty maintaining order across the sprawling area.

Local administrators have flagged the situation as a mounting concern, warning that without intervention, the settlement could entrench patterns of lawlessness similar to those documented in Jungle Salimpur. Officials have called for coordinated efforts to establish governance structures and improve basic amenities within the community.

The emergence of such settlements underscores broader challenges facing Bangladesh's rapid urbanisation, as migration to major cities continues to outpace formal housing development and infrastructure expansion. Chattogram, as the nation's primary port city and second-largest urban centre, has experienced particularly acute pressure on housing and municipal services.