Garbage heap, unbearable traffic irk locals

The presence of unsightly garbage heaps right in the middle of many roads in Narsingdi city has left local residents deeply perturbed and frustrated.

The seemingly perpetual traffic jams and lack of a proper garbage disposal system have raised questions about the work ethics of the concerned authorities.

During an investigation, this correspondent visited several locations in Narsingdi Town, including Old Town Hall, Aziz Boarding Area, Behind Ideal School, Allahu Chatter, the pond bank in front of Narsingdi Government Women's College Gate, the road stretching from Allahu Chatter to Shapla Chatter, and the Shiksha Chatter underpass area, and found that the roads were marred by unsightly heaps of garbage.

The road leading to the Shapla area through the city's Station Road has unfortunately become a recurrent dumping ground for haphazardly discarded refuse. This has not only inconvenienced pedestrians, commuters, and residents but has also raised concerns about public health hazards.

Momen Mia, an autorickshaw driver, said, "We suffer almost every day. There is a traffic jam on this road for at least an hour, and the stench emanating from the garbage heap makes the entire situation unbearable."

Local residents informed this correspondent that garbage collectors collect garbage from various households and deposit it at the Aziz Boarding Area in the city. However, they voiced their dismay at the apparent lack of commitment from municipal authorities towards resolving the issue.

Residents further emphasised the urgency of the municipality's intervention, saying, "The accumulation of garbage on the road is causing significant inconvenience to commuters, students, and residents of the area. A prominent public road, the Aziz Boarding Area, has also suffered severe damage. The road, heavily frequented by students, commuters, and pedestrians, is now marred by unsightly piles of garbage."

Shilpi Das, a resident of the affected area, expressed her frustration, saying, "We have submitted numerous requests to the municipality to remove the garbage piles from this road, but there has been no response or solution to our pleas. We feel helpless, and those who use this road have to endure the suffocating stench."

Sanjida Khanam, residing in the same area, lamented, "Municipality personnel come to our homes, collect garbage, and charge 100 taka for the service. However, instead of disposing of it properly, they leave it on the road in front of our houses. This is not only inhumane but also poses a grave threat to the environment. School-going children are forced to traverse this road daily, subjecting them to foul odors. I strongly urge authorities to address this matter urgently."

Abdullah Al Mamun Russell, a resident of Birpur and the founder of Alokita Narsingdi who commutes through the educational district of the city daily, shared his perspective. He said, "Every day, one has to endure the nauseating stench of garbage while crossing the road to reach the office. This road is significant and heavily populated, with thousands of people from various professions and students using it daily. Relocating these unsightly garbage heaps elsewhere would greatly benefit the public."

"Even sidewalks have not been spared from littering, causing traffic obstructions and widespread inconvenience. Piles of garbage have also encroached upon the sidewalks around the highway market in the Belanagar area," added Russell.

Mahfuzur Rahman, the Municipal Executive Officer of Narsingdi Municipality, acknowledged the issue, stating, "We are holding regular meetings to address the problem of indiscriminate garbage dumping. The suffering of local residents and the environmental damage concern us deeply. We are actively working on initiatives to resolve these pressing issues and are hopeful of reaching a solution as soon as possible."