Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) Mayor Md Atiqul Islam on Monday inaugurated a graffiti art project, beautifying Dhaka's streets with graffiti art and placing awareness messages on the pillars of flyovers and metro rails.
The project was inaugurated at the Moghbazar Chowrasta flyover pillar, where Mayor Atiqul Islam personally began the graffiti work by picking up a paintbrush to encourage the artists.
Speaking with journalists after the inauguration, the DNCC mayor hoped that the eye-catching graffiti art on flyover pillars would raise awareness among the public and discourage the posting of posters everywhere.
Courtesy“This country and this city are ours and they do not belong to outsiders. We have obtained this country's freedom in exchange for a lot of blood. Yet, by putting up posters everywhere, we are destroying the beauty of our own city. We are the ones causing noise pollution and air pollution. To be a responsible citizen, we have to correct ourselves and be aware of what we are doing,” he said.
The mayor emphasized that everyone has a responsibility to keep the city clean, not just the government or the city corporation.
He pointed out the numerous posters on the flyover pillars containing various messages and advertisements. “All kinds of political statements, extortion and scams are being carried out through these posters with a mere ‘courtesy of so-and-so' at the end.”
The DNCC mayor urged those responsible to stop this practice or face legal consequences, such as jail time or fines.
Mayor Atiqul further said: “We want to build a beautiful city for future generations. The DNCC's initiative aims to beautify the pillars with artwork and educational messages, such as not honking, planting trees, taking care of the environment, disposing of standing water every three days and loving our country.”
Renowned artists involved in rickshaw painting have also been included in the graffiti project, as per the Prime Minister's directive, he said.
CourtesyThe initiative began at the Moghbazar flyover and will gradually be extended to other flyovers and metro rail pillars, added Mayor Atiqul.
The banners and posters have already been removed from the flyover pillars in Moghbazar, which have been cleaned and painted white.
The eye-catching graffiti highlights local culture and educates on various subjects. One of the completed pillars already features images promoting environmental conservation, with one side showing a teenager planting a tree and another going to school.
Other pillars display messages against honking and posting posters, as well as depictions of flowers, birds, the sun, and a boat, symbolizing the rich culture of Bangladesh.
Although the project has just begun, the beauty emanating from the pillars is attracting passersby. Many were seen capturing the art with their mobile phone cameras.
