Main roads of Lalmohan Municipality turn into garbage dumps

Bhola Correspondent :

Lalmohan Municipality in Bhola is classified as a first-class municipality. However, it appears to be first-class only on paper and in name, as residents are not receiving proper civic services. The current municipal administrator, Md. Shah Aziz, has allegedly done little beyond offering promises with a smile. Having served for over a year and a half, he has reportedly failed to deliver anything beyond routine work.

The problem of waste disposal in Lalmohan Municipality has persisted for a long time. There is no designated dumping ground for garbage. Last year, waste was dumped at the municipal stadium. Following protests by several organizations and news reports in various newspapers, dumping at the stadium was halted.

However, the municipality then began disposing of waste in front of Lalmohan Degree College along the Bhola-Charfassion highway, beside the Surjer Hashi Clinic, and later near the Lalmohan helipad along the busy highway. Local residents and pedestrians have been overwhelmed by the foul odor from these garbage piles. Despite multiple reports in newspapers, the municipal administration has not taken effective action.

After assuming office, the administrator had stated during the first municipal tax fair that land would be acquired to establish a proper dumping site. However, no visible progress has been made.

Among the busiest roads in Lalmohan market including Hafiz Uddin Avenue, Mithai Patti, Shutki Patti, Binodon Cinema Hall area, Chourasta intersection, Dattapara, Municipal Golchattar Market, High School Market, the Food Warehouse area, Thana intersection, and Uttar Bazar heaps of garbage are seen lying in the middle of the roads almost daily. The administrator has been accused of serious failure in removing these wastes.

A particularly alarming situation has been observed on the northern side of the Lalmohan Upazila Nirbahi Officer’s office building, where garbage has accumulated for a long time. Even the roof of a tin-shed structure there is covered with waste.

A resident of the municipality, Naimur Hasan, said that after the fall of the previous government, they had hoped the municipal administrator would take effective steps to address the waste issue in the market and ensure daily cleaning. However, the large piles of garbage next to his own office reflect irresponsibility.

He alleged that the administrator has failed to ensure that employees perform their duties properly. “It has been a year and a half, and apart from smiling promises, there has been no visible action regarding waste management,” he added.