Garbage dumped Jashore roads haphazardly, authorities indifferent

BENAPOLE, Aug 19: Disorderly hurling of wastes on busy roads and footpaths has created a major public nuisance in Jashore town, with the authorities concerned remaining indifferent.
Filths scattered on the roads and footpaths of the town spread stomach-turning odour creating unpleasant atmosphere much to the inconvenience of the pedestrians.
For a long time since the student unrest-induced shutdown, most of the roads and walkways in the town have not been cleared of the waste routinely piled up.
As a result, wastes getting accumulated here and there day after day are polluting the environment and creating health hazards as well for the townspeople.
Even if one gets a little relief from the stench by pressing the nose with a handkerchief, there is no way but to walk stepping over the scattered garbage, filled with abhorrence.
The condition of the town is very much dirty also due to not regularly removing the garbage from the roadside dustbins.
According to the Jashore municipality, the town extends over an area of about 15 square kilometers.
There are 217 plastic lidded boxes and 90 dust containers placed in nine wards of the municipality for garbage disposal.
Besides, there are 36 vans and 80 hand trolleys engaged in collecting garbage from the households.
There are 10 dump trucks and four open trucks designated to carry waste from the dustbins to the waste treatment plant at Jhumjhumpur in Jashore town.
A total of 610 cleaning workers remain engaged in waste management job every day.
During a visit, this correspondent saw a huge pile of garbage lying next to the drain in the Power House neighborhood between Arabpur and Palbari.
A strong stench was coming out from there. Some locals including Shamsul Alam said the area falls within ward-5 of the municipality. They complained that staying at home has become tough due to the bad odour.
Ward councilor Rajibul Alam said cleaning staff will be asked to clean up the dirt.
Garbage lies piled up in the railway gate, along the Dhaka road and Jashore Khulna highway in old Kasba area, along the Kazipara Road and in front of the BED College on Ghop Jail Road.
Trash is found lying in heaps in many other places, including the edge of the drain just in front of the Department of Agricultural Extension office.
Cows, goats and dogs often scatter the dirt accumulated in these places.
Contactedl Jashore Municipality Assistant Engineer BM Kamal Ahmed said all the dirt will be cleaned in two to three days. Haider Goni Khan Polash, mayor of Jashore Municipality, said as soon as possible the garbage will be cleared.

[email protected]