3.8 lakh biodegradable sacks from DCCs for Eid waste disposal

The Dhaka north and south city corporations will distribute around 3.8 lakh biodegradable sacks for free among city dwellers ahead of upcoming Eid-ul-Azha to bring discipline and quicken disposal of leftovers of slaughtered cattle.

The corporations target to remove waste from the capital within 48 hours from Eid day noon.

DNCC is distributing 2,80,000 polythene bags expecting two lakh cattle to be sacrificed in the area while DSCC is giving citizens one lakh bags though it anticipates the number of sacrificial cattle in the area to be double.

“It’s an awareness building initiative. I believe people who have ability to spend Tk 30,000 after cattle have also the ability to buy a bag at Tk 30,” said Captain Raquib Uddin, chief waste management officer at DSCC.

“We don’t want people to leave anything on the streets,” said Captain Bipan Kumar Saha, chief waste management officer at DNCC.

DSCC organized a press conference to talk about its initiative on waste management during Eid-ul-Azha at the Nagar Bhaban this morning.

In reply to a question Raquib said the polythene bags were disposable.

There will be a complaint section at DSCC’s website where city dwellers can lodge complaints about cattle waste management. Local inspectors will receive the messages, said Khan Mohammad Belal, chief executive officer (CEO) of DSCC.

The persons complaining will also receive the updates through message, he further said, adding that the city dwellers are requested to slaughter cattle at the designated places.

It is customary for people to sacrifice animals in any open area in front of their houses or on the roads and alleys, leaving smelly piles of animal parts lying around on the roads. In addition to risk of diseases it also lowers the quality of life.

This Eid-ul-Azha, there will be 595 designated spots in the city to sacrifice animals for the first time. The Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) area will have 324 spots and Dhaka North City Corporation area will have 271 spots.

In reply to a question, Bipan said, “Since we’ve taken the initiative for the first time, there may be some problems. But we want to bring order.”  

DSCC will distribute 85,000 leaflets on proper disposal of cattle waste from today and announce on loudspeakers at every ward. DNCC on the other hand has already distributed two lakh leaflets to the citizens.

The corporations will also spray anti-septic by three-wheeler vans in narrow streets. Bleaching powder will be also spread at the cattle markets.