Long-term master plan needed to make Dhaka a better place

"I will send the chief adviser and the ministries concerned three letters with the proposals to finalise a plan envisioning a long-term development direction towards making the rivers around the city free from pollution and strengthening the city corporation by increasing its power or amending the laws," he said at a press conference at the Nagar Bhaban.

Khoka organised the press conference to mark the expiry of his five-year tenure as the mayor of Dhaka City Corporation.

Replying to a query from reporters that whether he would continue to be in office after the end of his term, Khoka said, "I am waiting to hand over the flag to the appropriate person in a suitable time."

"This is my last job at any public offices. I do not want to take charge of any government offices in the future," he added.

Khoka, also the president of Dhaka city BNP, however, declined to make any comments on his recent statements about his party, saying, "I have expressed my views only to make my party stronger and timely."

About the future of Dhaka, he said the city would extend up to Shitalakhya river in Narayanganj, Savar, Keraniganj and Gazipur intersection.

"Dhaka will turn into a city of garbage if we fail to finalise a master plan right now," he added.

He also said, "The caretaker government has taken steps to bring reforms to various sectors, which received huge support from all quarters. So, I think that there is also a scope of bringing about reforms in the city corporation."

Denying allegations of corruption against him, Khoka said, "The Anti-Corruption Commission is now working independently and anybody can lodge complaints against me if there is any specific allegation. But I have never heard of any allegation against me."

He also criticised the rampant levelling of allegations of corruption against politicians.

Referring to Gazi Golam Mostafa, who was a minister after independence, and former prime minister Kazi Zafar Ahmed, Khoka said, "We had levelled allegations against them that they amassed thousands of crores of taka through corruption, but I came to know after the death of Mostafa that he had nothing but a shop; and I also tried to help Kazi Zafar for his treatment."

"So, we should get rid of such culture. The politicians should protect their dignity by refraining from making false accusations against their opponents," he added.