As the national election approaches, campaign activities have intensified across Keraniganj’s five unions—Jinjira, Aganagar, Tegharia, Konda and Subhadya—placing the Dhaka-3 constituency at the centre of attention. Candidates are holding rallies, courtyard meetings and door-to-door campaigns, promising solutions to persistent civic problems, while residents continue to voice concerns about pollution, congestion and basic services.
A woman entrepreneur from Jinjira, who has grown up in the area, said she remains hopeful despite years of overcrowding and unplanned urbanisation. She believes the upcoming polls could bring positive change if voters elect capable and accountable leadership. Stressing the importance of safety and quick administrative response for working women, she said she would cast her vote expecting tangible improvements in the coming years.
Urban expansion and civic strain
Keraniganj’s importance has increased significantly due to the Mawa Expressway and the Padma rail link. Areas such as Adarshanagar, Jhilmil Residential Area, Hasanabad, Basundhara Riverview, Pangaon Container Depot and the new Jagannath University campus have experienced rapid population growth and commercial expansion.
Residents, however, say the development has not been matched by proper planning. Narrow roads in Jinjira and Aganagar frequently cause traffic congestion, especially near Babubazar Bridge and ferry terminals. Industrial waste continues to pollute the Buriganga river, while Subhadya canal remains clogged with garbage, worsening waterlogging during heavy rains.
The absence of planned parks and playgrounds, the filling of wetlands for housing projects, rising drug abuse and juvenile gang activity, and persistent gas shortages are among the key concerns raised by locals.
Candidates and their symbols
A total of 10 candidates are contesting the Dhaka-3 seat. The major party contenders and their election symbols are:
Goyeshwar Chandra Roy (BNP) — Danar Shis (ধানের শীষ)
Shahinur Islam (Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami) — Dari
Palla (দাঁড়িপাল্লা)
Faruk (Jatiya Party) — Langgol (লাঙ্গল)
Sultan Ahmad Khan (Islami Andolan Bangladesh) — Hatpakha (হাতপাখা)
Rawshan Yazdani (Gana Forum) — Udit Surjo (উদিত সূর্য)
Sajjad (Gono Odhikar Parishad) — Truck (ট্রাক)
Jafar (Bangladesh Congress) — Dab (ডাব)
Bacchu Bhuiya (Ganosamhati Andolon) — Matal (মাঠাল/ঢোল)
Mujibur Howladar (BASAD) — Kaste-Haturi (কাস্তে-হাতুড়ি)
Monir Hossain (Independent) — Football (ফুটবল)
Among the main rivals, Danar Shis (ধানের শীষ) and Langgol (লাঙ্গল) are drawing noticeable visibility in campaign materials and public gatherings, while Dari Palla (দাঁড়িপাল্লা) is also actively campaigning across neighbourhoods.
Campaign commitments
Candidates have pledged a range of initiatives, including youth skill development through vocational training, interest-free loans for small entrepreneurs, pollution control, improved waste management, gas supply solutions and modern drainage systems.
Some contenders have also proposed a long-term master plan for Keraniganj, focusing on wider roads, playgrounds, upgraded schools and colleges, healthcare facilities including a proposed medical college, and restoration of natural canals to prevent waterlogging.
Voter outlook
Dhaka-3 has 362,159 registered voters — 184,971 men, 177,184 women and four voters from the third gender community.
While campaign enthusiasm is visible across the constituency, residents say their expectations are simple: a cleaner environment, planned urban development and a safer, more liveable Keraniganj. As election day nears, voters are closely watching which symbol — Danar Shis, Langgol, Dari Palla or others — will ultimately earn their trust at the ballot box.
