The landfills of the two city corporations, Matuail and Amin Bazaar, are being filled and unless these are extended, the situation may become alarming. The two city corporations, north and south have taken separate projects too but since they were not approved on time, an uncertainty has taken shape over waste treatment.

The two landfills have mountains of waste which are vitiating the adjacent areas. The Matuail landfill, twice the size of Amin Bazaar was established over 50 acres of land. In 2005-06, this was extended to 100 acres. Waste between 2700 and 3300 metric tonnes is removed here daily. North city landfill was built over 50 acres in 2005-06. This also gets around 3000 metric tonnes of waste every day.

The size of the north city landfill has not been extended which has resulted in the occupation of an additional 20 acres of land. As a result, local landowners are affected. DNCC’s chief waste management official, commodore Abdur Razzak, told Bangla Tribune: “a proposal to acquire an additional 81 acres of land has been sent to the planning ministry.”

Once it’s approved, land acquisition will start.

Meanwhile, DSCC will acquire an additional 81 acres, of which, 50 acres will be landfill while 31 acres will be used to manufacture power from waste. A big incinerator will be placed with two sections: one where general waste and the other where electronic waste will be burnt.

The extract from burnt electronic waste will be used to make coal products which may be used as Refused Derive Fuel.

The power produced from waste will meet 5-6 megawatt of electricity. The project will be Tk. 749 crore though it may rise. Once the project is approved by ECNEC, DSCC will appoint international advisers. DSCC’s main waste management official, Millatul Islam, said: “if we get the right approval then soon, waste management won’t be a problem.”