Tabith promises ‘sustainable’ Dhaka

BNP mayoral candidate for Dhaka North City Corporation Tabith Awal on Monday rolled out a 95-point election manifesto with a focus on sustainability and building a world-class city. 

In face of numerous challenges, he pledged to carry out anti-mosquito drives round the year, shift chemical warehouses outside the capital and tackle growing pollution in the metropolis.

Outlining his plans, Tabith published his election manifesto with 19 sections in line with the Sustainable Development Goals-2030 at a city hotel. 

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The BNP-backed candidate said that he will plant trees those repel mosquitoes naturally, regularly monitor mosquito prevalence and clean the waste-clogged waterbodies if he gets elected.      

He said, "Dengue spread in the capital and elsewhere last year owing to the negligence of the two city corporations. I will take up anti-mosquito drives from day one in office."   

The BNP mayoral candidate for Dhaka North also promised to relocate the chemical warehouses from the old town.

Following deadly fires at Chawkbazar, Banani, Keraniganj and Gulshan, many pointed fingers at the two Dhaka city corporations. They blamed the city authorities' failure to shift the chemical warehouses.     

Renewing his promise for green Dhaka, Tabith in the manifesto said he has a plan to introduce vertical garden and city-friendly agriculture. He pledged to rewards environment-friendly buildings as well.    

Moreover, the businessman turned candidate said he will check noise pollution, remove waste at night, set up recycling centres and construct modern slaughtering houses.      

His manifesto promises sustainable development of the city transportation system to reduce traffic congestion. Tabith said he will adopt a coordinated and effective approach to make the transport public friendly.  

His transportation plan includes introducing electric buses, launching nighttime safe transports and extending all-out support to the Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha for circular roads.          

To ensure road safety, Tabith vowed to develop common utility bypass and tunnel, skywalk, foot over-bridges and modernizing the parking system.     

His manifesto also promises to introduce remote and virtual medical facilities, setting up mobile medical units, setting up special cells for women and differently-abled, and providing free treatment to pregnant women and children. 

Tabith Awal wants to ensure civic facilities through data analysis and face recognition mobile apps.

He said, "Before detailing my dreams and plans, I request you to stand beside me, help me, support me and cooperate with me. I want your blessings."        

"I give you my word that I will not compromise on your rights, facilities and services. I promise that I will neither betray the city dwellers, nor cheat them. I will be driven by progressive and modern ideas and not hark back to the past," commented Tabith.

The Dhaka North comprises of 54 wards with more than 30.35 lakh voters. The city dwellers will pick their mayor for the next five years on February 1 from among six candidates, including ruling Awami League-backed Atiqul Islam.