Dhaka city was comparatively clean yesterday as many conscious residents along with the city corporations were prompt to wash blood and clear leftovers from where sacrificial animals were slaughtered on Eid-ul-Azha.

However, the city corporations' initiative specifying spots in different areas for slaughtering animals failed.

The majority of city people did not use those spots designated in the first-ever move to facilitate the disposal of waste and blood in order to keep the city clean following the festival.

Some 324 spots had been specified within the area of Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) while 271 in Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC).

Many said they found it inconvenient to take animals to the allotted spots and then come back home with meat and the utensils used while butchering them.

Besides, the city corporations at most of those points could not ensure logistics, even water, needed during the slaughter of cattle, said Khokhon, a resident of Mirpur-12.  Harun Molla Eidgah Math was the spot allocated to dwellers of the larger portion of Mirpur-12 for slaughtering animals but only four animals were butchered there.  

There was a designated spot at 16/1 Bakshibazar Lane but no activities of DSCC were seen around 9:00am on the Eid day.  Only a few yards away, locals were butchering animals in front of their houses.   

“The main task is to wash blood with water. I have water here [at his house]. The city corporation would not be able to provide us with water,” said Ehsanul Haque Labhlu, a resident of an apartment by the lane. 

While visiting different parts of the city, The Daily Star correspondents found many designated spots vacant on the Eid day.

Ahead of Eid, the city corporations also claimed to have made arrangements for spraying 1,640 liter anti-septic-mixed water and distributing 31,750 kg bleaching powder.

This place was designated by the city corporation for slaughtering sacrificial animals. But there was no trace of such activity when the photo was taken around 9:15am on the Eid day. Photo: SK Enamul Haq/ Anisur Rahman

Many residents complained that the city corporations had not distributed bleaching powder properly at all places.

“I waited but when the stench turned worse I myself spread bleaching powder from home,” said Sohel Arman, a resident of South Kamalapur.

Both the corporations had set a target to clean up Dhaka in 48 hours, but many places were still strewn with litter and cow dung yesterday polluting the surrounding air.

Shaheed Faruk Road was littered with cow dung in the morning. Locals complained of severe stench at Baitul Mukarram Gold Market and Kataban and Rampura areas. 

Meanwhile at a press conference at his office yesterday, DNCC Mayor Annisul Huq claimed the authorities had presented a comparatively clean Dhaka to city dwellers.

At another press conference at Nagar Bhaban, DSCC Mayor Mohammad Sayeed Khokon thanked city dwellers for their cooperation in the cleaning process.

Acknowledging the poor presence at the designated spots, both of them said people would gradually accept their new idea in the coming years.