PM for fast-tracking waste-to-energy projects

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has directed the authorities concerned to expedite the implementation of several key infrastructure and environmental projects aimed at transforming Dhaka's waste management system, generating electricity from municipal waste, restoring the capital's lakes, and modernising its sewage treatment network.

The directives came during two separate high-level meetings held on Sunday at the Cabinet Division conference room in the Bangladesh Secretariat, according to Deputy Press Secretary to the Prime Minister Md. Sujauddoula.

During the first meeting, the Prime Minister reviewed the progress of two major waste-to-energy initiatives involving waste collected by the Dhaka North and Dhaka South City Corporations.

He instructed the Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives, the Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources, and the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change to hold an inter-ministerial coordination meeting to remove implementation bottlenecks and ensure that both projects are completed within the stipulated timeframe.

Officials informed the meeting that the Aminbazar Waste-to-Energy Project, being implemented by China's CMEC Group, is designed to process approximately 3,000 tonnes of municipal waste each day to generate 42.5 megawatts of electricity. The project is expected to begin supplying power to the national grid in August 2028 and is projected to continue electricity generation for at least 25 years.

The Prime Minister emphasised that converting municipal waste into electricity would not only help address the growing waste disposal challenge in the capital but also contribute to cleaner energy production, reduce dependence on landfill sites, and lower greenhouse gas emissions.

The meeting was also informed about the Matuail Integrated Waste Management Project, being implemented by South Korea's B&F Company.

Under the project, around 15,000 tonnes of methane gas will be produced annually from landfill waste. The methane will be used to generate approximately 81,000 megawatt-hours of electricity each year�"equivalent to around 221 megawatt-hours per day.

In addition to electricity generation, the Matuail project will produce solar power, organic fertiliser, animal feed and environmentally friendly eco-bricks, creating opportunities for resource recovery under a circular economy approach.

Lake Restoration and Sewage Modernisation
In a separate meeting, the Prime Minister chaired discussions on the restoration of Dhanmondi and Gulshan lakes and the installation of modern Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) as part of a broader plan to improve Dhaka's urban environment and water quality. 

The Dhaka South City Corporation presented a proposal for the rehabilitation and reconstruction of Dhanmondi Lake, redevelopment of Nazrul Sarobar, and establishment of sewage treatment facilities to modernise the capital's wastewater management system.

The meeting also decided to disconnect all illegal waste discharge lines flowing into Gulshan and Baridhara lakes within the next six months. Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (RAJUK) will lead a comprehensive programme to clean, beautify and environmentally restore Gulshan Lake.

Reviewing various proposals related to lake restoration, cleanliness drives and the installation of Sewage Treatment Plants in residential and commercial buildings, the Prime Minister underscored the importance of completing all projects on schedule and adopting an integrated strategy to protect Dhaka's lakes, wetlands and urban ecosystem.

Officials noted that untreated wastewater and illegal sewer connections have long contributed to severe pollution in several lakes across the capital. The planned installation of STPs is expected to significantly improve water quality, reduce environmental pollution and strengthen the city's sanitation infrastructure.

Towards a Cleaner and More Sustainable Dhaka
The initiatives form part of the government's broader efforts to improve urban environmental management, promote renewable energy, reduce landfill dependence and enhance climate resilience in the rapidly growing capital city. Experts have long argued that effective waste-to-energy systems, combined with modern sewage treatment and lake restoration, are essential for ensuring sustainable urban development and improving public health in Dhaka.

The waste-to-energy meeting was attended by Local Government Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, State Minister for Local Government Mir Shahe Alam, Dhaka North City Corporation Administrator Md. Shafiqul Islam Khan, Dhaka South City Corporation Administrator Md. Abdus Salam, Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister A.B.M. Abdus Sattar, Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Rumman and other senior government officials.

The meeting on lake restoration and sewage treatment was attended by State Minister for Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Mir Shahe Alam, State Minister for Housing and Public Works Ahammad Sohel Monjur, the administrators of the two Dhaka city corporations, the Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister and other relevant officials.