Dhaka, Nov. 27 -- Dhaka's surging population is steadily undermining the city's livability, with overcrowding, environmental pollution, and mounting pressure on public services worsening the situation.Experts said that unplanned settlements and high population density have contaminated water and soil, while insufficient infrastructure creates obstacles for essential citizen services.

Urban planners note that roughly five lakh people migrate to Dhaka each year in search of better employment opportunities. Many others are forced into the city as climate refugees from coastal and other remote areas affected by floods, river erosion, and other environmental pressures. Experts stress that unless this massive population influx is transformed i...