DNCC removes over 18,000 tonnes of waste

Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) has removed a total of 18,344 tonnes of waste in the last three days.

DNCC garbage carrying trucks collected 3,553 tonnes of sacrificial animal wastes until 6PM on Saturday, the third day of Eid, DNCC administrator Mohammad Shafiqul Islam Khan said at a press conference at his office on Saturday evening.

He said, “Under DNCC’s 72-hour integrated action plan for sacrificial waste management, it has been possible to remove almost all sacrificial animal waste from the northern part of the city with the citizens, journalists and DNCC officials and employees.”

The administrator said four of the 10 cattle markets leased out by DNCC have already been completely cleaned, while waste removal work at the remaining six markets is progressing rapidly.

He said sacrificial activities were still continuing in different parts of the city on the third day of Eid and that DNCC's waste removal operations would continue regardless of the volume of waste generated.

Thanking journalists for their cooperation, the administrator said wastes scattered in various neighbourhoods across the city had been removed promptly based on information provided by journalists. 

He said efforts to keep the northern part of the capital ‘clean and green’ have continued through coordinated initiatives involving heads of different DNCC departments, officials and employees since he assumed office, and those efforts will continue in the future. Regular household waste will also be removed as usual, he added.

The administrator alleged that misleading and false information was being spread on social media using artificial intelligence (AI) with the intention of tarnishing the image of the government and DNCC in connection with the metro rail system.

He said such misinformation included false claims regarding damaged fencing beside the metro rail line and malfunctioning passenger lifts.

Urging journalists and city residents to remain cautious, he advised them to visit the relevant metro rail stations to verify the facts. He also called on media professionals to publish accurate and verified reports.

Replying to a question, the administrator said 752 vehicles were deployed in DNCC's waste removal operations. Although a few vehicles became temporarily inoperative due to mechanical faults, waste removal activities continued through alternative arrangements.

Regarding the temporary suspension of two DNCC officials, he said the decision was not related to sacrificial waste management but was taken in response to allegations of irregularities in regular household waste management. Necessary measures would be taken following an investigation, he added.

In response to another question, the administrator said a 48-hour special cleanliness drive would begin on Sunday morning after completion of the 72-hour plan. A committee led by the Chief Health Officer will implement the programme.