Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) is preparing to begin generating electricity from waste at the Aminbazar landfill, but the project remains on hold pending environmental clearance.
Officials say all preliminary preparations have been completed, and the corporation is now awaiting approval from the authorities to move forward.
If cleared, the waste-to-energy initiative is expected to help manage landfill methane emissions while contributing to the capital's power supply within the next two years.
Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) is looking to start power generation from waste at the Aminbazar landfill and is currently awaiting clearance from the Department of Environment (DoE).
DNCC Administrator Shafiqul Islam Khan made the remarks to reporters after visiting the site on Tuesday, according to a statement.
He said work on the waste-to-energy (WTE) project at Aminbazar has been suspended due to the lack of environmental clearance.
"We will talk to the Department of Environment. After receiving environmental clearance, we want to start generating electricity from waste quickly," he was quoted as saying. The DNCC has completed all necessary preparations on its part, the Administrator said, adding that it aims to begin electricity generation within one-and-a-half to two years of receiving approval.
DNCC Chief Executive Officer (additional charge) Ashaduz Zaman, Chief Waste Management Officer Commodore Mohammad Humayun and other officials were present during the visit.
Mr Khan also said that occasional fires and smoke occur at the landfill due to the presence of methane gas, posing health risks to nearby residents.
Following complaints, the DNCC has taken the issue seriously and will discuss steps to find a permanent solution, the statement said.
It added that the DNCC has initiated work with a Chinese company to implement the waste-to-energy project. Clearance from the Department of Environment is required before electricity can be generated by incinerating waste.
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