It is commendable that the government is working towards expanding the landfill stations of Dhaka -- there are plans currently in place to build several modern landfills, including one on 118 acres of land in Nasirabad -- in order to tackle the ever-present problem of waste management in the capital.
There is little doubt that garbage disposal and waste management in the city have historically been sub-par and that city corporations, past and present, have never truly tackled the challenge successfully and there is hope that these new initiatives could provide the building blocks for a more liveable Dhaka city.
What is cause for further encouragement is the government’s plans to implement more environmentally friendly projects for future waste disposal.
Bangladesh’s population density makes waste disposal even more challenging for the authorities, and with the threat of climate change looming large along with Bangladesh’s confirmed susceptibility to it, the authorities must be applauded for their foresight.
However, what is important now is for the government and relevant authorities to ensure that these projects are completed efficiently.
Far too often, there have been initiatives proposed but then were mired by inefficiency, poor management, and unnecessary bottlenecks -- this continues to derail the country’s progress.
Dhaka is recognized as one of the fastest growing cities in the world, and it is at the forefront of the country’s overall economic achievements.
However, our considerable economic milestones would be wasted if we cannot raise the quality of life in our capital and largest city.
