Dhaka-Sylhet Highway near Madhabpur turns into a sea of floating waste: None to look into it

THE Dhaka-Sylhet Highway near Madhabpur has been transformed into a dumping ground as municipality trucks have been throwing away and burning waste there indiscriminately for a while now. The locals are facing serious problems as unplanned waste disposal is not just causing inconveniences to commuters but has also led to traffic congestion on the road. People from all walks of life, including students of Maulana Ashad Ali Degree College, are now concerned as no steps are being taken to mend the situation, despite repeated complaints and requests.

Household waste being dumped by the municipality workers in the areas, while the stench from the rubbish made the place unhealthy and unbearable, the smoke coming out of the burnt garbage often clouds the highway, making visibility of the road an issue for transport workers and commuters. Recently locals have demanded for a planned disposal of waste in the area. However, no steps were taken to address their complaint. The spot has become a breeding house for mosquitoes and flies and with the rainy season being just around the corner, the road would turn into a sea of floating waste, and locals and passengers have to peddle through it.

Local leaders said there is no dumping ground in the municipality and that is the root cause of this problem. The dumping ground allotted by the DC office is just around 1.5 kilometres from the municipality, while it is only about half a kilometer away from the spot where the garbage is currently being dumped. Non-biodegradable wastes like polythene get into the nearby agricultural lands and water bodies, causing serious harm to the area’s marine life while degrading the quality of food products.

We think public health is highly compromised in the areas, and the local administrations and social leaders cannot avoid their responsibilities.