He spoke about a ‘three-dimensional plan’ to revamp the city while unveiling his election manifesto at a press conference at Lakeshore Hotel in the morning.
“My priority is not only to build a city for better living but also to work for developing the citizens’ lifestyle,” he said.
“I’ll make DNCC modern, dynamic, and healthy if reelected,” Atiqul said, adding that he will utilise his experience of the last nine months as DNCC mayor.
He promised to ensure safety of the citizens, and ample grounds and parks for games and sports. “I want our next generation to grow up healthy,” he added.
Atiqul also promised that he will take effective steps to curb corruption in different sectors.
He said that in order to control mosquitoes, the city corporation would work with all the organizations including its southern counterpart, WASA, Health Ministry, and neighbouring City Corporations to instill an integrated vector management (IVM) system as in developed countries.
Some other projects floated by Atiqul are the construction of open parks and modern playgrounds based on the area, and resource recovery facilities (RRF) in Aminbazar for waste management including energy generation from waste.
If reelected, he will take initiatives to ensure civic facilities for slum dwellers, restoration of water bodies after freeing them from grabbers, construction of modern public toilets, minimizing air pollution through modern technology and ‘Mist blower’, development of 'Ward Complex' for creating ward-based facilities and Tree Clinic for plant lovers and Pet Animal Clinic in Mirpur.
Atiqul also promised to take various initiatives for building a dynamic Dhaka, including creating employment and rehabilitation for hawkers, setting up new pedestrian overbridges with escalator facilities as part of road safety, separate lane for bicycles and cycle parking, introduction of transport for school, college and university students, as well as construction of underground and multi-storey parking facilities in busy areas of the city.
The mayor candidate also talked about structural development as well as technical development for modern Dhaka.
To modernize Dhaka, he will introduce a “Sobar Jonno Dhaka” (Dhaka for Everyone) app for smartphones to receive citizen complaints.
He will also introduce electric bus service to prevent air pollution and digital systems for registration of births and deaths, trade licenses and civic services.
Atiqul Islam was elected mayor of DNCC in February, 2019 by-election on an Awami League ticket.
The post fell vacant after Annisul Huq passed away on November 30, 2017.