Narayanganj’s waste management project falls short despite Tk345cr investment

Despite investing over Tk345 crore in solid waste management projects, the Narayanganj City Corporation (NCC) has failed to significantly improve its waste collection capacity, managing to collect only around 200 tonnes of waste daily—just one-third of its 600-tonne target.

According to NCC’s own estimates, the city generates more than 1,000 tonnes of solid waste every day. However, the corporation currently collects only a fraction of that, leaving large volumes of waste in open spaces and water bodies, causing serious environmental and health hazards.

The city’s solid waste management initiative included a Tk219 crore project for developing a 23.29-acre landfill site and an additional Tk36.79 crore for purchasing five garbage trucks and a cleaner suction system.

The project also funded the construction of an office building, internal roads and three leachate ponds. However, waste collection capacity has not improved, and untreated leachate from collected waste is reportedly being discharged directly into water bodies.

Despite acquiring 42 waste-handling vehicles—including 20 dump trucks with capacities ranging from 3 to 14 tonnes—NCC’s collection operations remain inadequate. A report dated 7 April reveals that only 193 tonnes of waste were collected from its 27 wards on that day.

NCC had also entered into a 20-year agreement with a Bangladesh-China consortium—comprising UD Environmental Equipment Technology Co Ltd, Everbright Environmental Technology Equipment (Changzhou) Ltd and SABS Syndicate Ltd—to produce five megawatts of electricity by incinerating 600 tonnes of waste daily.

The consortium was handed 10 acres of land at Siddhirganj on 1 February 2023, with commercial operations expected to begin in May 2024.

Under the contract, NCC was obligated to supply the full 600 tonnes daily or face penalties. However, the project failed to progress, and the government eventually cancelled the agreement—likely sparing NCC from heavy financial penalties, given its current collection shortfall.

Chief Town Planner Moinul Islam acknowledged NCC’s current capacity to collect only around 200 tonnes per day.

“We had committed to supply 600 tonnes for the waste-to-energy plant. If we failed, we planned to collect waste from nearby municipalities,” he told the Daily Sun.

When asked why NCC’s collection capacity has not increased despite the heavy investment, Chief Executive Officer Mohammad Zakir Hussain declined to comment, claiming he was unaware of the corporation’s current capabilities.

Civic activist Rafiur Rabbi criticised both the authorities and residents for their indifference to the waste crisis.

“The city is turning into a dumping ground. Waste is scattered on roads, open spaces and in canals. There are hardly any vans to collect household waste, and no designated disposal sites. Air and water pollution is worsening, but no one seems to care,” he said.

He further blamed a lack of accountability, inadequate manpower and apathy among elected representatives for the deteriorating situation. “Despite repeated promises, no serious steps are being taken. Both the authorities and citizens are failing to act responsibly.”