Khokon makes smooth traffic top priority

Awami League-backed mayoral candidate for Dhaka South City Corporation Sayeed Khokon made easing traffic congestion in the city his top priority.

Promising a modern and developed Dhaka city, Khokon unveiled his election manifesto at a press conference under the banner of "Shahosro Nagorik Committee" at the Institution of Diploma Engineers, Bangladesh in the capital.

Among the 15 commitments of the mayor aspirant, easing traffic jam, ensuring a pollution free Buriganga, ensuring adequate supply of water, gas and electricity, creating a clean, pollution free and healthy Dhaka city and declaring a war against corruption, extortion and criminal activities are his top five.

On easing traffic, Khokon, son of former Dhaka city mayor Mohammad Hanif, said he would ensure special bus service for women and construct more underpasses, footbridges and multi-storey buildings for car parking.

He also pledged to set up the city's own power plant, solve waterlogging problem, shift tanneries from Hazaribagh to Savar, launch anti-mosquito drives, ensure primary medical treatment for slum dwellers and construct more public toilets especially for women.        

"I did not make any unrealistic commitments in my manifesto. My commitments are possible to implement and I will even sacrifice my life to implement my promises," Khokon said and requested all to vote for him.

The Dhaka city unit AL's organising secretary is contesting with the symbol hilsha.

Khokon's other promises are making a digital Dhaka city, ensuring education for all and preserving heritage.

Besides, the AL-backed mayoral hopeful vowed to ensure people's participation in running the city and set up a people's consultative centre, coordinating among the organisations involved in providing services in the city.

Meanwhile, three organisations -- BGMEA, BTMEA and BKMEA -- at a programme yesterday showed support to AL-backed mayor candidate for Dhaka North City Corporation Annisul Huq in the polls.