Now the work begins

Congratulations to the new mayor of Dhaka North City Corporation, Atiqul Islam, who secured an expected landslide victory in the mayoral by-election on February 28.

However, there is little time for celebration, as the real work begins now.

In the run-up to the elections, Atiqul Islam, a former president of Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), unveiled his manifesto which stressed for unity among all the denizens of Dhaka in order to build a safer city for all.

In addition, Atiqul had several pledges, amongst which included the completion of projects by previous mayors, including the late Annisul Huq’s vision of Dhakar Chaka, a transport initiative taken for all roads under the DNCC. 

Annisul Huq, in his short stint before his untimely demise, captured the hearts and imaginations of the city’s population with his drive and vision for a healthier, more functional Dhaka, and the new mayor will have to prove to the people that he can be a worthy successor.

It has to be stressed that it is no small feat to take on the challenge of bettering Dhaka -- despite our significant progress, the city continues to suffer from age-old issues of bad infrastructure, unplanned constructions, traffic congestion, urban pollution, and traffic safety.

Now that he has been elected, all eyes will be on him to deliver upon the promises he has made. Dhaka requires all the help it can get to fix its issues.