Ctg city's potentials untapped

Chittagong has all potentials to become a modern megacity but those were not exploited properly in the past, ruling Awami League-blessed mayor aspirant AZM Nasir Uddin said yesterday, pledging to do what needs to be done in this regard, if elected.

There has been a lack of proper planning and management, he said in a written statement during a views exchange meeting with journalists at the Institute of Engineers, Chittagong. Nasir said he had long dreamt of a "dream megacity".

"The main problem of the city is waterlogging, and I will give the highest importance to it," the Chittagong city AL general secretary said, adding that new canals would be excavated. Tremendous changes will occur in waste management as well, he said.

"It is not a tough task to build the city into an international standard one; it needs good will and combined efforts."

There has been a lack of good will in the last five years, he said.

Chittagong city, north and south district units of AL organised the meeting, presided over by President of Chittagong city AL and ex-mayor ABM Mohiuddin Chowdhury.

In reply to a question, Mohiuddin said usually many activists were aggrieved since he was not chosen by the party. "But we are working to calm them and make them understand," he said. "All misunderstandings will be resolved soon."

Nasir thanked his party and party chief for deciding to back him in the April 28 election.