Nasir promises to turn Chittagong into ‘dream megacity’

Chittagong will be a ‘dream megacity’ free from water logging, Awami League-backed mayor candidate AJM Nasir Uddin has said while presenting his manifesto.

He was speaking at a programme organised by Chittagong Nagarik Committee on Wednesday, five days before campaigning ends.

His manifesto has 36 pledges. The promise of ‘a waterlogging-free, people-friendly city’ is right at the top.

Elections to Chittagong and Dhaka’s two city corporations will be held on Apr 28.

Nasir, backed by the ruling party, will be contesting with the poll symbol 'Elephant'.

His main rival, BNP-backed M Manzur Alam, was yet to announce his poll manifesto.

Nasir has pledged to restore the city’s water bodies and the formation of a separate committee for managing waste and a new canal from Bahaddarhat to Karnaphuli point with a sluice gate at the front.

Mentioning the 1995 ‘Masterplan’, he said: “Chittagong can still be an ideal green city. I will aim for that if I am elected.”

Preserving hills, preventing water pollution, water shortage by saving natural water sources, saving the Karnaphuli River, better education and health care were included in Nasir’s vision for ‘Digital Chittagong’.

Three-times Chittagong mayor and metropolitan chapter AL chief ABM Mohiuddin Choudhury delivered a welcome speech during the release of the manifesto.