BARISHAL, June 7: For a long time, residents living beside a lake in Barishal City's Rupatali area had to endure foul odour, mosquito infestation and piles of waste that turned everyday life into a struggle.
The lake, located near D-Block in Ward No. 24 along the Dhaka-Barishal highway, had gradually become clogged with garbage and stagnant waste. What was once a quiet lakeside area had turned into an unbearable spot for nearby residents, especially during the evening hours when the stench intensified.
Locals said walking along the road beside the lake had become difficult, while children and elderly residents suffered the most from the growing mosquito problem.
Frustrated by the prolonged suffering, residents eventually filed complaints through the online helpline of Barishal City Corporation (BCC).
The complaints reached BCC Administrator Advocate Bilkis Akter Jahan Shirin, prompting swift action from the civic body.
Following her directive, a special team from the city corporation's engineering department visited the area and inspected the condition of the lake.
Officials also spoke with local residents to understand the extent of the problem.
Soon after, BCC launched a cleanup drive.
Using excavators, sanitation workers removed accumulated waste and sludge from the lake over several days.
Residents said the waterbody had almost lost its natural appearance because of years of neglect and dumping.
The situation has now improved significantly.
The foul smell has reduced, the mosquito infestation has eased and the surrounding environment has become more liveable, locals said.
Faruk Hawlader, a resident of the area said, earlier we could hardly walk beside the lake because of the unbearable smell.
Children and elderly people suffered the most. We are happy that the authorities responded quickly after the complaint was submitted online, he added.
Another resident, Nayan, said the area had become almost uninhabitable before the cleanup. The city corporation worked continuously for several days and cleaned the lake. Now the environment looks much better, he added.
Bilkis Akter Jahan Shirin , BCC administrator said the city corporation remains committed to addressing public complaints promptly. "We take complaints submitted through the online helpline seriously and respond quickly, she added. Our efforts to ensure a clean environment and improve civic services across the city will continue".
