Dhaka's Eid waste cleanup mostly satisfactory with some hiccups

Highlights:

• Dhaka's two city corporations reported removing 52,125 tonnes of sacrificial animal waste over three days
• Residents found the cleanup mostly satisfactory, though instances of mismanagement were reported
• Media reports show waste piles in several areas the morning after Eid, despite claims of full cleanup

Over the three days of Eid-ul-Adha, Dhaka's two city corporations reported cleaning up 52,125 tonnes of sacrificial animal waste, though residents noted the efforts were mostly satisfactory but marred by occasional mismanagement.

Media reports and social media images showed piles of garbage on many streets and alleys in the capital on Sunday morning, the day after Eid, despite city authorities' claims of a complete cleanup. Both city corporations then stepped up clean-up efforts. 

While the Dhaka South City officially announced the end of its waste clean-up operations on Monday, the Dhaka North City said it would continue the drive till Wednesday.

The clean-up drive began a few hours after Eid morning prayers on Saturday. As animal sacrifices and meat processing took place in the alleys and streets, workers from both city corporations launched cleanliness operations."

"They [city corporation] cleaned the roads pretty well on Eid day, but we saw some piles of sacrificial animal waste with blood stains at some spots the next morning," Pavel, a resident of Kalabagan, told TBS.

"It could be because of the late night or early morning qurbani [animal sacrifice]. However, the city cleaners removed the waste within hours," he added. 

On Eid day afternoon, after officially inaugurating the clean-up campaign, Local Government Adviser Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuyain expressed hope that the waste from the first day would be cleared within the 12-hour target set by the city corporations.

Despite official claims of 100% removal of sacrificial animal waste on Eid day night, piles of garbage were seen on many streets and alleys the next morning. In areas including Shewrapara, West Agargaon, the 60-feet road in Mirpur, Mirpur 11, Kalsi, and parts of Old Dhaka — under both Dhaka North and South City Corporations — Eid waste was seen either collected in heaps or scattered along roadsides and secondary transfer stations (STS).

While some locations showed concentrated waste piles, other areas had residual waste spread loosely across the streets.

Following news reports, Dhaka North City on Sunday issued a clarification, stating that fresh waste had accumulated after late-night animal sacrifices.

The city corporation explained that waste generated after the initial cleanup was collected by sanitation workers and temporarily stored on roads and at Secondary Transfer Stations (STS) overnight, pending transfer to landfills.

In the last two days [Monday and Tuesday], both city corporations have removed most of the waste and tried to make the city clean. 

Dhaka North removed 20,889 tonnes of sacrificial waste in 3,948 trips in the three days of Eid (up until 2pm Monday). A total of 4,66,080 animals were sacrificed in areas under the North City. Nearly 3,60,000 of the animals were cows, and no camels were sacrificed this year.

Dhaka North's Administrator Mohammad Ejaz said that in the three days of Eid Dhaka North removed 20,889 tonnes of sacrificial waste. On the first day, 10,614 tonnes were cleared, followed by 7,353 tonnes on the second day, and 2,922 tonnes on the third day.

Although the number of sacrifices was lower this year, more waste was removed compared to last year, he said.

"Our waste removal operations are still ongoing today [Tuesday], and we've met our expectations," he added.

The administrator also pointed out some ongoing challenges since the division of the city corporation. "After taking over canals and drains from Dhaka Wasa, we received two cleaning machines, both of which are now out of order. This has made canal and drain cleaning difficult," he said.

So far, Dhaka North has cleaned 108 kilometres of canals, he said. "However, maintaining cleanliness is challenging as many residents treat canals as dumping grounds. Despite that, we remain committed to cleaning all canals and drains."