Tabith pledges ‘intelligent city’
Tabith Awal, BNP nominated mayoral candidate for the Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC), unveiled his election manifesto, giving priority to turning Dhaka into an “intelligent city”.
He will also focus on tackling the mosquito menace, curbing air pollution and improving traffic management.
The manifesto was unveiled at a press conference at Emmanuelle’s Banquet Hall in the capital’s Gulshan area, in the presence of leaders of the party and the Jatiya Oikyafront.
The mayoral candidate unveiled his 95-point manifesto, which has 19 sections.
In it, he highlighted the importance of improving the city’s public transport and waste management systems.
Tabith said a corruption-free and habitable model Dhaka will be established with the firm belief in nationalism, democratic values and communal harmony.
He further said the incumbent government and mayors have failed to tackle the mosquito issue.
“If elected, I will carry out mosquito repellent activities throughout the year. I will also work for reducing traffic jam and will take effective steps to stop air pollution in the city,” he said.
Dhaka ranked third in the list of cities with worst air. The capital city has been grappling with air pollution for years.
Tabith said night-markets or farmers’ markets will be established at the access points of the city and other significant places.
He also said “Food Courts” will be established in public places to monitor the quality of food.
He plans to introduce modern city school-bus services on specified routes for safe transportation for students.
Tabith said he will introduce city “scholarship” awards each year for talented students who are successful in their primary, junior and secondary school certificate examinations.
He will arrange at least one day-care centre in each ward.
To reduce road crash, Tabith plans to construct more footbridges in many intersections across the city and add automated escalators on the footbridges.
To reduce traffic congestion, Tabith promises build multi-storied parking facilities or parking lots in busy areas of the city.
For commuters’ smooth movement, Tabith plans to introduce hi-tech commuter train services from Tongi to Kamalapur.
He said he will take initiatives to introduce sky-walkways for easier movement of pedestrians at various places.
To manage the city’s waste, Tabith said he will introduce popular and scientific concept of waste disposal system called 3R (Reduce, Re-fuse and Re-use) and emphasise on “source control” to serve the purpose.
He will from an advisory council, which will include both elders and younger resource persons concerned in city development, environment protection, modern technology, and to implement work plans.
Tabith plans to introduce “One Stop Service” to provide instant services to all kinds of citizen’s privileges, including issuance of birth and death certificates, trade licences and others.
He will introduce recreational boating, angling and cable-car rides on limited scale to make Hatirjheel area more attractive and also begin river cruise around the city as a medium of recreation by re-excavating and renovating river routes around the city.
For public safety, CCTV cameras will be installed lane-by-lane on each street in multiple phases.
When reporters asked whether it will be possible to implement the manifesto even if he is elected, given that he belongs to the opposition party, Tabith said, “It will be [possible], if the people remain by my side.”
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal President ASM Abdur Rab, Nagarik Oikya Convener Mahmudur Rahman Manna and Gonoshasthaya Kendra founder Dr Zafrullah Chowdhury, among others, were also present at the manifesto unveiling.
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