85% of sacrificial waste cleared by evening: Dhaka North administrator

Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) removed 85% of sacrificial waste from the northern part of the capital by Saturday evening, according to its Administrator Mohammad Azaz.

Speaking at an emergency press briefing in the evening, Azaz said waste removal operations were going on and progressing steadily. 

"The work is being carried out in a calm and methodical manner. When deadlines are imposed, waste is often not removed properly," he said.

Azaz added that the waste removal programme would continue for three days. "Though the process is moving slowly, the pace of work is good," he said.

The DNCC administrator noted that the city corporation itself is handling almost all of the waste management work, with only a couple of exceptions being handled by subcontractors. 

"We are using our full capacity. Even dump trucks from the Cantonment have been deployed. All in all, the work is progressing at maximum speed," he added.

Azaz also said the corporation had not imposed any restrictions on sacrificial slaughter. 

"We want people to enjoy Eid-ul-Adha in their own way over three days. We have not enforced any specific timing for animal sacrifice," he said.

"Our waste management operations have been diversified to handle the situation more effectively. But it's too early to give a final assessment of the operation since many people are still performing sacrifices. Some will even slaughter animals tomorrow or the day after," Azaz said.  

For the first time, DNCC members distributed polythene sheets and bleaching powder directly to households.

"Previously, residents had to collect these materials from councillors' offices, often through political connections. This time, we've provided the materials as part of an impartial service for all residents of Dhaka," Azaz added.

Regarding the day's challenges, he acknowledged that rain had slowed down operations. 

"Rain did hamper our efforts to some extent. But our major achievement was preventing waterlogging despite the rainfall. Although some parts of Mirpur experienced minor flooding, the water eventually receded," he said.

When asked about the continued use of the Aminbazar landfill site for dumping sacrificial waste, the DNCC administrator admitted the site had already surpassed its lifespan. 

"The Aminbazar landfill expired in 2017. Over the past eight years, no alternative was arranged, so we are compelled to keep using it," he said.

He, however, said an additional 50 acres of land had recently been acquired at a cost of Tk618 crore to ease pressure on the site. 

"But this is not a permanent solution. DNCC is working to move away from open dumping."

Several pilot projects aimed at ending open dumping have already been launched. 

"We hope to share the outcomes of these projects within the next two to three months," Azaz added.