No progress in relocating overflowing landfill in Gazipur
It is unfortunate that despite all the health hazards related to waste management, Gazipur City Corporation made no progress in relocating the perilous landfill at Baimail beside Dhaka-Tangail highway for the last eight years. With blatant disregard for their responsibility, the authorities resort to the only excuse they have been using—"We are looking for a piece of land." Due to its location, waste continues to spill on to the highway, often hampering traffic. And when it rains, the garbage on the slippery road makes it a deathtrap. Despite the repeated attempts by the Roads and Highways Department (RHD), requesting the city corporation authorities to resolve the issue, it remains ineffective. Unfortunately, the Department of Environment (DoE) had to meet a similar fate too as the city corporation did not comply with their repeated notifications.
When it is extremely important to dispose waste in protected landfill areas in order to minimise pollution of surface and ground water, soil and air and keep the environment safe, Gazipur City Corporation has been piling approximately 2,500 tonnes of garbage, including medical waste—it is a major threat to public health as it contains toxic chemicals, radioactive elements and pathological substances which are harmful for the human body—on a daily basis in the unprotected area. It has become a breeding ground for various insects like mosquitos. The residents of the area have been bearing the brunt of the unabated dumping, keeping their doors and windows shut to prevent the stench.
It is befuddling that Gazipur City Corporation has not taken any action for so many years to solve this problem. Why have they not been held accountable for such neglect? It is strange that the mayor declined to comment, asking our correspondent to talk to the waste manager instead. How long will the residents of the area and those commuting on the highway continue to suffer such misery? The city corporation officials must stop shifting the blame to others. They cannot shrug off their responsibility with such apathy towards the environment and public health which is totally unacceptable. The concerned authorities must address the lack of coordination and supervision professionally so that the city corporation complies with the rules and regulations and not drag their responsibilities year after year. Now, with the ongoing pandemic, proper waste management is more urgent than ever.
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