Pangsha Municipality: Stop dumping garbage by highway, demand locals

In a display of disregard for human health and the environment, for the past couple of years, the authorities of Pangsha municipality in Rajbari have been dumping garbage from the town onto a spot right beside the Rajbari-Kushtia regional highway.

Stench from the massive pile of decomposing garbage near 'College Mor' area on the highway has created a suffocating atmosphere for locals and commuters alike.  

Established in 1990, Pangsha municipality has yet to introduce a waste management system for the town. As a result, waste from households, businesses as well as hospitals and clinics in the area are being disposed of out in the open, raising the risk of spreading contagious diseases.

During a recent visit, this correspondent witnessed dumping of garbage at the spot from rickshaw-vans and garbage trucks engaged by Pangsha municipality.

Requesting not to be named, a garbage collection worker of the municipality said, "We've been dumping waste here for the last two years as there's no waste management system in the municipality."

College student Animesh Chakraborti, a resident of Purapara area, said, "Garbage is being dumped beside an important road, causing the spread of foul smell and making lives of commuters as well locals miserable."

College Mor area resident Abdus Samad said liquid waste from the dump starts flowing on the road during rain and pedestrians have no other option but to walk over it and risk spreading of diseases.

Poisonous smoke emitted from burning of the garbage is also causing respiratory problems for locals, especially their children, he added.

Ashish Das, a resident of Banjana village, said, "We are the worst sufferers as we have to use this road to get to Pangsha town. I hope the municipality authorities will take necessary steps in resolving this situation permanently."

Contacted, Pangsha Municipality Mayor Abdul Al Masud Biswas admitted people's sufferings and said, "We are compelled to dump the garbage there because we have no other place... We submitted a plan to the higher authorities and we hope that the problem will be solved soon."