Jam free Dhaka dream of Milon

Dreaming of a Dhaka city free from traffic jams, Jatiya Party-backed mayoral candidate in the south Saifuddin Ahmed Milon yesterday came up with a 18-point election manifesto which is also dominated by promises of ensuring smooth supplies of gas, power and water and fighting the mosquito menace.

His other pledges include containing crimes, including extortion, ending waterlogging, and turning the city into a green one by planting trees on every road island.

Saifuddin revealed his manifesto through a press conference.

About the untimely and haphazard digging of roads, he said he would take a coordinated approach for carrying out development activities.

Like most of the mayoral aspirants, Ahmed did not give details of how he would translate his pledges into a reality when city mayors in the country have little authority to take decisions independently about development programmes.

One of the significant features in Ahmed's manifesto is that he will protect the interests of tenants.

He also promised to rehabilitate floating people and beggars.

"I will make sure that pedestrians can use the footpaths throughout the year," he said.

He also would allot specific places for holding rallies and fight corruption in the city corporation.