Obnoxious odour from an unenclosed landfill in Mymensingh city's Char Kalibari is making life miserable for residents and commuters for a long time but the authorities concerned are not paying heed to the issue.

The residents of the area, also known as Moilakanda, said they have long been demanding relocation or proper management of the dumping ground, but to no avail.

Around 150 families, who call the area home, are being forced to live amid such condition as the city corporation takes no measures to minimise the putrid stench, they alleged.

"Every day I have to bear this unpleasant smell," said Abdul Hekim, a trader.

Locals said it is also becoming a serious health risk as many are already suffering from breathing problem.

Abdur Razzaq, who owns a piece of land near the dumping ground, said he is facing setback in crop production. "The soil is losing fertility…," added the 60-year-old farmer.

Grocer Jewel Mia said customers mostly avoid his store due to bad smell.

Atiqur Rahman Raihan, a bus driver, said locals demonstrated against the nuisance in 2017 but the authorities did not take any step. Rather, they sued some 25 people on a "false" charge of vandalising garbage trucks.

"I along with some four others were detained at that time. Since then, locals have been refraining from any movement fearing harassment," said Raihan.

During a recent visit, this correspondent found parts of Mymensingh-Sherpur road adjacent to the landfill littered with garbage, hindering vehicular movement.

People from different parts of Mymensingh and Netrakona, Kishoreganj and Sherpur pass through the spot and face the putrid stench.

The city corporation, however, said they always clean garbage from the road.

Mohabbat Ali, waste management officer of Mymensingh City Corporation, said around 320 tonnes of garbage are piled up on the dumping ground on a daily basis.

The prevailing situation is also creating health and environmental hazard, said Farid Ahmed, director of Department of Environment (Mymensingh division). He said they asked the MCC authorities on various occasions to manage the garbage properly, but to no avail.

Dr HK Debnath, MCC chief medical officer, said people living in the area are at risk of being affected with diseases like asthma, respiratory problems and eye irritation.

Contacted, Chief Executive Officer of MCC Md Anwar Hossain said they have signed a memorandum of understanding with a private enterprise of Finland one and half months ago to produce electricity from waste. It will also help reduce the garbage. 

Mayor Ekramul Haque Titu said after the signing, a project proposal was sent to the LGRD ministry and it will take at least six months to finalise the process. Once the formalities end, the company would start work within one and a half years, said the mayor.

Once the project is completed, the garbage menace will go away, he hoped, saying that they have no plan to relocate the landfill.

About demarcation of the ground, the mayor said, "We did not succeed despite efforts we took before."

It is difficult to erect walls around it by digging out 20-40 feet layer of garbage, he claimed.