29,500 sanitation workers ready for sacrificial waste removal

The Eid holidays of all sanitation department officials and employees of Dhaka North and South City Corporations have been cancelled ahead of Eid-ul-Azha. A total of approximately 29,500 personnel have been deployed to ensure waste removal within the stipulated time.

Both city corporations have opened special helplines for citizens' convenience. Approximately 17.70 lakh plastic, poly and biodegradable bags are being distributed for waste storage and removal.

Waste removal operations will formally begin from the afternoon of Eid day. An estimated 7 lakh animals may be sacrificed in the capital this year, generating approximately 55,000 tonnes of waste.

Dhaka South City Corporation Administrator Md Abdus Salam said a special oversight council comprising high-level officials has been formed to supervise cattle markets and waste management. Officials and employees of waste management, transport and mechanical divisions have been kept on field duty with their holidays cancelled.

The main waste removal operation will begin at 12:00 pm on Eid day, with the target of completely removing the first day's sacrificial waste within the next eight hours.

The DSCC administrator warned citizens not to dump sacrificial waste in drains or sewers, as this could spread germs and cause severe waterlogging during rain.

DSCC has set a target of removing 33,942 tonnes of waste over three days — May 28, 29 and 30 — with 15,935 tonnes on the first day, 11,776 tonnes on the second and 6,231 tonnes on the third.

An estimated 1.74 lakh animals may be sacrificed in the south city corporation area this year. A total of 2,117 vehicles and equipment, including compactors, dump trucks, container carriers, payloaders, excavators, backhoe loaders, bulldozers and water trucks, will be used.

Two helplines — 01709900888 and 02223386014 — have been opened for receiving and resolving citizen complaints.

DNCC Administrator Md Shafiqul Islam Khan said awareness campaigns are being conducted through loudspeakers in every ward, and mosque imams are being engaged to encourage cleanliness during sermons.

DNCC's Deputy Chief Waste Management Officer Md Mafizur Rahman Bhuiyan said in addition to the corporation's own 6,500 sanitation workers, another 4,500 waste collectors will work on the ground. Approximately 5,500 volunteers will supervise cleanliness activities, bringing the total workforce to around 16,000.