Open waste dumping a nuisance in Tangail town

Massive waste dumping beside busy roads continues for long, exposing the abysmal condition of waste management system in the century-old Tangail municipality.

The residents as well as commuters are vulnerable to serious health hazards as the unscrupulous act causes serious pollution of the environment, especially air and water, and spreads horrible stink across large areas.  

Established in 1887 during the British era, Tangail municipality currently comprising 29.43 square-kilometre area has a population of around two lakh people.

But the ancient municipality is yet to develop a modern waste management system.

The municipality comprises 18 wards but there is arrangement of waste removal from 10 wards fully and from three wards partly, officials said, adding that the rest five wards remain out of the waste removal system.  

Some 65 to 70 tonnes of different waste, including that from households, is collected in the municipal area daily on an average while the authorities can arrange removal of 50 to 55 tonnes of it, they said. 

According to Local Government (Municipality) Act of 2009, waste management as well as protecting citizens' health and local environment is important responsibility of the municipal authorities. 

But huge waste is being dumped beside Tangail-Mymensingh Road in Rabna Bypass area, entrance to the town from the north, and beside Tangail-Aricha Road at a spot between Kagmari and Baby Stand areas, entrance to the town from the south.

The bad smell spreading across the large area causes immense sufferings for locals, pedestrians as well as passengers and transport workers on the busy road.

"The situation turns more serious when the waste, including remains of dead birds and animals, spread on the road during rain and storm," said Noya Miah, a resident of Rabna Bypass area.

"The municipality has continued indiscriminate waste dumping, violating the environment protection laws, whereas one of their main responsibilities is to keep the town clean through proper waste management system," Goutam Chandra Chanda, a senior research officer of Bangladesh Environmental Lawyers Association (BELA).

Jamilur Rahman Miron, mayor of Tangail municipality, said they have been planning to make a waste dumping place for the municipality since 2004 but could not arrange necessary land for it.

"Recently, we have chosen a land in Rabna Bypass area for making a modern waste dumping site for the municipality. Process is on to buy the land under a World Bank project," he said.