An internal survey of Dhaka South City Corporation, DSCC, shows that around 11 per cent of the garbage in the zone is not removed. In such a state, the mayor, Sayeed Khokon, has taken the initiative to remove all garbage by introducing night shift on Thursday. Decision has also been taken to send relevant officials to Kolkata City Corporation, which has achieved the target of 100 per cent garbage removal, to gather experience.
It’s believed that home rubbish in DSCC area is 3300 tonnes, of which, 2700 tonnes are removed to the land-fills. The remaining 300-600 tonnes of waste stay within the city. This garbage flows through the sewerage lines, filling up the lower parts of the city.
Consequently, this clogs drains and garbage pits, resulting in waterlogging. The stagnant garbage is also spreading stink and disease.
DSCC sources say that everyday around 11 tonnes of medical waste is added to the garbage and 5247 cleaners of the DSCC are failing to cope with the general waste, which is between 2700 and 3300 metric tonnes.
Lack of awareness among city residents and inadequate manpower have been identified as the main reasons for this.
DSCC sources say that for the modernisation of waste management, 43 secondary transfer stations will be constructed which will help in tackling waste disposal.
High court ordered the usage of vehicles with lids to carry waste though there is a scarcity in such trucks. Waste management official of DSCC, Khondokar Millatul Islam, told Bangla Tribune: “we are not carrying out waste disposal under the direct supervision of the mayor and hope for one hundred per cent success.”
DSCC executive engineer (waste) Abdullah Harun, says: “since Kolkata has attained 100 per cent success in removing city waste, we are going to get an idea from them.”
On 13 April last, a joint initiative by DSCC and Reckitt Benckiser carried out a ‘Dettol clean Dhaka’ drive, which gave recognition to 7021 persons achieving a place in the Guinness book of records.