Staff Reporter :
Despite Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) Mayor Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh’s announcement to clear sacrificial animal waste within 24 hours, the capital’s roads and lanes remain littered with waste even 48 hours after the deadline.
The accumulation of waste is particularly severe in the alleys of Old Dhaka, where the stench from rotting waste has become unbearable, causing serious air pollution.
Responding to the situation, officials from DSCC’s waste management department stated that they successfully removed sacrificial animal waste as per the mayor’s announcement on Eid day, ahead of schedule.
However, due to delayed sacrifices occurring on the second or third day of Eid in Old Dhaka, waste has accumulated in certain areas.
The officials assured that all remaining waste would be cleared by Wednesday night.
Eid-ul-Azha, a holy festival celebrated nationwide, occurred on June 17, with Mayor Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh announcing waste removal within 24 hours on June 12 after visiting the National Eidgah grounds.
Despite being abroad in the United States, he has monitored waste removal activities online.
DSCC, which oversees 75 wards, includes areas like Aga Sadek Road, Bangshal Road, Abdul Hadi Lane, Chankharpul Lane, Shikkatuli Lane, and Abul Hasnat Road under ward number 33.
On Wednesday, June 19, at 1:00 p.m., piles of sacrificial animal waste were visible on Aga Sadek Road, with rainwater exacerbating the situation by spreading waste onto the road and surrounding areas.
The pervasive stench from rotting waste has made it challenging for citizens to navigate through affected areas. However, there has been minimal visible activity from DSCC in promptly removing the waste.
Similar scenes were observed on Shikkatuli Lane, Kazi Ala Uddin Road, and Siddikbazar, where waste from sacrificial animals had accumulated in front of houses and shops.
Nazrul Islam, a resident of Kazi Ala Uddin Road, expressed frustration, noting that waste accumulates in front of holding number 34 throughout the year, exacerbated now by the addition of sacrificial waste.
Despite Nagar Bhaban, the City Corporation’s headquarters, being less than 200 meters away, similar piles of waste in Siddikbazar reflect poorly on the corporation’s management, causing anger among residents.
“This mismanagement by city authorities must be addressed,” Nazrul emphasized.