The Narayanganj City Corporation, which governs Siddhirganj, sadar and Bandar, is responsible for nearly two million residents across 27 wards within a 72.43-square kilometre area. Managing civic services for such a large and densely populated city is a formidable challenge that requires strategic planning and efficient execution. While various developmental initiatives, such as road construction and drainage improvements, have been undertaken, waste management remains a critically neglected sector. The absence of sustainable waste disposal strategies has led to severe environmental and public health concerns, turning several areas into open dumping grounds and exacerbating pollution levels.
A field survey across many Narayanganj wards shows a dire situation: household waste is indiscriminately dumped in open spaces, canals, ponds, and drains. Rather than a structured waste collection and disposal system, garbage accumulates wherever vacant land is available, transforming Narayanganj into an unsanitary and polluted urban area.
For instance, in Tatkhana (loom factory), Ward 8, waste is dumped along the old Shimrail-Adamjee-Chashara road, clogging the Water Development Board鈥檚 canal. Similarly, in Bhangar Pul, the eastern side of the DND canal is slowly turning into an uncontrolled landfill, further degrading the environment.
Even private property is not spared. In Ward 6, garbage is frequently dumped on vacant railway land next to Nagina Joha Road, forming massive waste piles. Over time, liquid waste seeps onto roads, producing foul odours, while dried garbage is sometimes burnt that releases toxic smoke into the air. This cycle of waste accumulation, burning, and re-accumulation is not only a public nuisance but also a significant health hazard.
Locals have long voiced their concerns over the lack of substantial improvements in waste management, even after more than a decade of the city corporations鈥檚 establishment. While some house-to-house waste collection services exist for a fee, many residents still dispose of garbage on roadsides and in open spaces due to inconsistent collection services and a lack of stringent regulations.
The issue extends beyond residential areas. Key commercial and public spaces, including Metro Hall, Kali Bazar, the Chashara Post Office on Bangabandhu Road and Chashara Hawkers Market, are also riddled with unattended waste. The road in front of the city corporation鈥檚 Hawkers鈥� Market in Chashara has effectively become an unofficial dumping ground. Complaints from residents of Ward 24, 25, and 26 further highlight the worsening state of waste management across the city, indicating an urgent need for intervention.
Recognising the escalating waste crisis, the city corporation once envisioned a sustainable solution. To establish an organised waste management system, a waste collection and disposal project was approved at a National Economic Council meeting on October 31, 2017. The project aimed to acquire 23.29 acres of land for a waste-to-energy facility that would convert garbage into electricity, providing both an environmental solution and an additional power source.
The former mayor, Selina Hayat Ivy, proposed this project with the vision of creating a permanent waste disposal and energy generation facility. The government approved the plan, and the Power Development Board directed the city corporation to allocate 10 acres of landfill space for a waste-based power plant. A memorandum of understanding was signed with the Power Development Board in 2018 to develop the plant. The project was awarded to Chinese companies, including UD Environmental Equipment Technology Company Limited, Ever Bright Environmental Protection Technical Equipment Limited and SABS Syndicate. The initial plan was to generate 6MW of electricity from 600 tonnes of waste daily.
However, financial complications soon derailed the project. After conducting trial operations, the Chinese company requested an increase in capacity from 6MW to 10MW due to financial discrepancies. The government, however, insisted on starting with 6MW before approving any increase. When the company failed to commence work on time, the government ultimately cancelled the contract, leaving the project in limbo. Today, instead of serving as a modern waste-to-energy facility, the Jalkuri site has effectively become another dumping ground, worsening the waste crisis rather than resolving it.
The waste-to-energy concept has been successfully implemented in many developed nations. Countries like Sweden, Germany and Japan have leveraged waste-based power generation to address both waste disposal and energy shortages. By converting garbage into electricity, these nations have managed to significantly reduce landfill waste while contributing to their national power grids.
Even within Bangladesh, efforts have been made to establish such a system. Dhaka North City Corporation has launched a waste-to-energy project in Aminbazar, Savar, which is expected to start operations by 2026. This plant will generate 42.5MW of electricity daily, significantly reducing waste-related issues in the capital. Spanning 30 acres, the project is being implemented by China Machinery Engineering Corporation under the Dhaka North City Corporation鈥檚 initiative. Once completed, it promises to revolutionise waste management by converting garbage into a valuable resource while ensuring an environmentally friendly and cleaner Dhaka.
Despite its potential, Narayanganj鈥檚 waste-to-energy project remains stalled. Given the alarming waste accumulation in the city, the government must revisit the Narayanganj WET project with urgency. The lessons learned from Dhaka鈥檚 ongoing project should be applied to the Narayanganj City Corporation鈥檚 stalled initiative, ensuring that waste is no longer seen as a burden but as a potential energy source.
To address Narayanganj鈥檚 waste management crisis, the city corporation, in collaboration with the Power Development Board and relevant stakeholders, must prioritise reviving the waste-to-energy project with better oversight and financial planning. Open dumping must be strictly prohibited, with penalties for non-compliance, ensuring that both residents and businesses adhere to proper waste disposal guidelines. Public awareness campaigns should be launched to educate residents on responsible waste disposal and the benefits of waste-to-energy solutions through community meetings, social media campaigns, and school programmes. Greater investment in waste collection infrastructure is necessary to ensure systematic collection and proper disposal of garbage. Additionally, modern landfill practices, recycling initiatives, and advanced waste segregation techniques should be introduced to minimise environmental impact and promote sustainability.
The Narayanganj City Corporation stands at a crossroads. It can either continue its trajectory of neglect, allowing waste mismanagement to further degrade the environment and endanger public health, or it can take decisive action by embracing innovative waste-to-energy solutions. Given the successful implementation of similar projects both globally and within Bangladesh, there is no justification for further delays. The city corporation and the government must act now before Narayanganj鈥檚 waste crisis spirals completely out of control.
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Tajul Islam is a journalist based in Dhaka.