The municipality was established on July 20, 1972 when Gopalganj was a subdivisional town. Afterwards, Gopalgnj was made a district with its 92,000 population. Then the municipality was been converted into "A" grade municipality. Its area was also enlarged up to 8 square miles with a population of 1 lakh 50 thousand.

But the facilities of a first class municipality were absent. Absence of proper drainage system, deplorable condition of roads, inadequate streetlights, lack of proper sanitary system, menace of mosquitoe and pye dogs, traffic jam and absence of recreational facilities are some of the problems worth mentioning.

As a result, the life of the town dwellers became miserable.

Water-logging after mild rain is a regular feature here due to silted drains. In many areas there is no drain at all. Mohammadpara, Miapara, Moulavipara, Gutepara, Nabinbagh areas are the worst affected areas.