Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) has launched round-the-clock operations to quickly remove waste accumulated at cattle markets across the capital following Eid-ul-Azha.
Cleaning activities at the Dholaikhal cattle market began on Thursday night, with more than 100 cleaners working in shifts to complete the task before the scheduled deadline.
A visit to the market on Friday showed that dump trucks, container carriers, compactors, payloaders, excavators, backhoe loaders and water vehicles were being used to clear the waste. Animal waste was being transported directly to the Matuail sanitary landfill.
According to DSCC sources, a special action plan has been taken for rapid waste removal across the city to protect residents from foul odours and health risks. Multiple cleaning teams are working simultaneously in different areas.
Riyaz, a cleaner working at the Dholaikhal market, said the waste would be removed within the deadline set by the city corporation.
“We have been working day and night since yesterday. There is a huge amount of waste at this market. Hundreds of cleaners and heavy machinery are working. We hope to finish before the scheduled time,” he said.
Another cleaner, Niranjan, said household waste had already been cleared within 24 hours and efforts were now focused on market waste.
“We will remain on duty until 8pm. If the work is not completed today, it will be finished by noon tomorrow. The bamboo structures and poles of the market have already been removed,” he added.
Cleaner Shamim said DSCC officials were monitoring the work round the clock to ensure speedy completion.
Another worker, Shah Nawaz, said the market’s bamboo structures were removed on Thursday, while animal waste was being cleared on Friday using heavy machinery.
“This waste is being transported directly to the Matuail landfill,” he said.
DSCC Public Relations Officer Md Russell Rahman said extensive preparations had been made for transporting and disposing of waste at the Matuail sanitary landfill.
He said DSCC planned to remove a total of 33,942 tons of waste between May 28 and May 30.
According to him, 15,935 tons of waste will be removed on the first day, 11,776 tons on the second day and 6,231 tons on the third day.
He added that bamboo, poles and other waste materials from cattle markets would also be removed in phases. Around 60% of the waste is expected to be cleared on the first day, 30% on the second day and the remaining 10% on the third day.
City corporation workers have been engaged in cleaning operations since sacrificial animals began being slaughtered across the capital after Eid prayers.
Officials expressed hope that all cattle markets in the capital would be fully cleaned before the scheduled deadline.
