Brahmaputra bank now a dump zone

The long-running practice of disposing of industrial and household waste on the embankment of Brahmaputra river in Mymensingh city has been causing severe environmental pollution and posing serious health risks to locals.

Despite residents' continuous protests and pleas, authorities are yet to take any step to stop garbage dumping.

Waste dumped in the city's Kalibari Puran Gudaraghat (Old Ferry Ghat) area gradually makes its way into Old Brahmaputra river.

Locals living near the dam throw their household wastes round the clock amid lack of monitoring by Mymensingh City Corporation authorities, said Shibbir Ahmed, secretary of Mymensingh Poribesh Rokkha O Unnayan Andolon.

They have submitted memorandums to the DC and mayor on several occasions, but to no avail, Shibbir said.

Advocate Nazrul Islam Chunnu, convener of civil-society forum Jonoudyog, said waste dumping has been going on unabated in broad daylight for years, but authorities seem reluctant to provide any permanent solution to stop the ill practice.

Locals, however, said they dump waste on the embankment as there is no designated spot for garbage dumping.

Although MCC authorities have fixed a designated place for garbage dumping at Char Kalibari, drivers of garbage trucks avoid the bridge due to traffic congestion, locals alleged.

Admitting that there is no dustbin in the area, Mohabbat Ali, waste-management officer at MCC, said they have taken an initiative to collect garbage door-to-door from next month.

Around 500 tonnes of garbage are produced in the city daily, and they have a capacity to manage 400 tonnes, he added.