The point at issue is poor garbage management system in Dhaka city. Even though this has long been a disturbing issue, the authorities concerned have thus far failed to address it in effective manner.
The populace of this mega city is bearing the brunt of this administrative failure as this perennial problem leads to hazardous pollution besides damaging the prettiness of the capital. An inadequacy of infrastructure coupled with poor planning is at the root of the city's lacking an efficient waste management system.
On top of that, the increasing pressure of garbage disposed by the increasing number of residents of the capital city has made the authority's task tougher. And the lack of capacity of the authorities concerned to deal with the increasing pressure has led to serious irregularities in Dhaka's waste management scenario.
Almost the entire task of collecting solid wastes from households is now controlled by a vested quarter, who without caring about rules charges the city dwellers excessive amount of money. In this manner, according to media reports, this dishonest group of people gobbles up over Taka 400 crore annually.
Even worse is the fact that despite paying additional bucks, the city people do not get expected services. Moreover, a lack of or no co-ordination of works among these self-declared authorities and the actual authorities only exacerbates the sufferings of the people.
Some time back we came to learn from media that the government's was planning some moves to find a sustaining solution to the annoying problem. One such move was Dhaka North City Corporation's plan to introduce incinerators to manage the ever increasing solid wastes in the metropolis.
Given that the existing practice of land-filling for managing wastes does not seem effective and sustainable, for there is serious dearth of open spaces in the city and that the only landfill in Matuail has almost become inoperative due to constant accumulation of solid, untreated waste dumped from all over the city, this step truly seems a time befitting one. We would like to know what development has taken place so far in this respect.
Besides, a minister informed us the other day that the government had taken steps to produce electricity from wastes produced in the capital, which too we think is a very good step. We think these are commendable steps that need swift implementation for the sake of ridding the city dwellers of the problems they face everyday due to unmanaged and untreated garbage piled up at almost everywhere in the city.
Nevertheless, it is of foremost importance is that the government, more specifically the two city corporations, focuses establishing a well-coordinated garbage collection network first. Only then any measure to improve Dhaka's waste management system will bring in desired results.
Latest News