Ctg’s Nazirhat choking on roadside waste

Unchecked dumping and burning of municipal waste along the busy Chattogram–Ramgarh road in Nazirhat municipality of Chattogram have long been causing inconvenience to locals and commuters.

They alleged that the practice has been continuing for years, with several tonnes of waste having accumulated at the site, exposing thousands of people to toxic smoke, foul odour, and potential health risks.

The site is located beside the Mandakini canal, which connects to the Halda river, raising concerns over possible water contamination. Waste has already spread close to the canal’s bank, while nearby trees appear dried and damaged.

“Municipal trucks dump garbage here almost every night. In the morning, the smell becomes unbearable. People cannot pass without covering their noses,” said local shop-owner Kamal Hossain.

Mohammad Shafi, a CNG-run auto-rickshaw driver, said the situation worsens when the waste is set on fire.

“The smoke, along with the stench, makes it difficult for everyone to pass through this area,” he added.

A municipal official, requesting anonymity, said around 8-10 tonnes of waste are collected daily from households and markets and dumped by the roadside temporarily in the absence of a designated disposal site.

Under the Environmental Conservation Act, open incineration of waste is a punishable offence due to its harmful effects on public health and the environment.

Nazirhat municipality, established in 2014, has yet to develop a permanent waste management system. The situation worsened further due to the lack of an elected mayor since August 2024. Upazila administration is currently carrying out the administrative responsibilities.

Contacted, Sayeed Mohammad Ibrahim, municipal administrator and also UNO of Fatikchhari, said, “The municipality currently doesn’t have the budget for establishing a permanent dumping site away from residential areas. As such, we are compelled to dispose of waste in the open.”

The authorities would take immediate steps, in coordination with the engineering department, to find a solution, he added.