When waste piles up

Almost 400 tonnes of waste remain uncollected in Khulna City Corporation (KCC) streets and drains every day, causing health risk and environmental hazards for city's 1.7 million dwellers.

Everyday these areas generate approximately 1,200 to 1,250 tonnes of solid waste including 4.5 tonnes of clinical waste, according to KCC.

Lack of carrying capacity, negligence of authorities concerned,  illegal dumping of waste and reluctance of putting garbage inside  designated dumpsters are the main causes, according to city dwellers.

This correspondent visited at least eight points, including Nirala Mor, PTI Mor, Gallamari bridge area, KDA avenue, Boyra Mor, Notun Bazar Mor and Notun Rasta area last week, and saw trash piled up in all of them.

In some places, wastes were scattered across portions of the road and nearby areas -- emmitting a horrible stench. Pedestrians and commuters were seen passing the spot after covering their noses. Many were forced to use alternative roads.

Abdur Rob, a resident of Bastuhara of ward-9, said locals throw trash on Bastuhara Link Road as there is no waste bin for around half a kilometre.

"Around 50 shopkeepers of Bastuhara Kitchen Markets throw garbage and waste in nearby drains and roads," he added.

"KCC built the kitchen market on April, 2012. There are 74 shops including 40 vegetables, 14 groceries, 10 fish, five chicken and meat shops. We do not have any designated area for disposing our trash,'' said Imamul Azam Mashuk, a resident of Mujgunni area.

Like him, many complained about the stench and alleged that the city corporation's workers don't collect garbage regularly.

Md Abdul Ahad, principal of Khulna Medical College, said waterborne diseases like diarrhoea, dysentery, jaundice and skin diseases are spreading after the uncollected waste mixes with rainwater and surface water.

"Open dumpsters can lead to respiratory diseases," he said.

Contacted, Md Abdul Aziz, chief conservancy officer of KCC, said the city corporation now collects around 800 tonnes of solid waste and dumps it in an open field in Rajbandho area, eight kilometres away from the city.

The rest 400-450 tonnes don't even reach the dumping ground, due to lack of logistical support and manpower, he said.

"We collect 95 percent of waste from selected areas or secondary transfer stations twice a day, however, almost all uncollected wastes go to drains or wet land," he added.

"In addition, 710 employees and cleaners, including 198 permanent ones, are working to remove waste from 31 wards of Khulna city," said the chief conservancy officer.

Besides, they will initiate a waste management project next year to mitigate the crisis, he added. City dwellers must practice putting their garbage inside bins, he further added.