Ten towns to get modern waste management system

The government is planning to establish latest waste management system for 10 towns on priority basis to ensure hygiene and sanitation in the areas.

The 10 towns include Cumilla, Pabna, Jamalpur, Natore, Shariatpur, Sirajganj, Laxmipur, Bagerhat, Narsingdhi and Patuakhali.

In this regard, the Local Government Division has undertaken a project titled “Integrated Sanitation and Hygiene in 10 Priority Cities of Bangladesh (Integrated Solid and Human Waste Management),” to ensure sustainable sanitation and proper health service in the project areas.

The cost of the project estimated at Tk 559.68 crore of which Tk 308.67 crore will come from the Islamic Development Bank (IDB) and Tk 166.20 crore from the government exchequer.

The Department of Public Health Engineering will implement the project by December 2026.

A senior official of the Planning Commission said under the project the areas will be disposed off waste through modern waste management system.

“It will also help get rid of human waste with the new waste management system. The project areas will be free from environmental pollution as well,” he also said.

The main components of the project include setting up 10 modern waste management systems along with 10 human waste management systems. A total of 19 disposal machines, 37 transfer stations and 63 community latrines will be established while other necessary equipment will be procured under the project.

An integrated information management system will be set up and training will be provided.

“Once implemented, the project will help improve solid and human waste management system and increase sanitation coverage,” maintained the official.

He, however, said the project is not included in the Annual Development Programme (ADP) in the current fiscal year, but it is a priority project, and so the planning minister approved it.

The priority development project proposal was sent to the Economic Relations Division (ERD) for funding.

“We have got the project proposal from the Planning Commission, and have already negotiated with the IDB that has assured us of funding. We will sign a deal on the project soon,” an ERD official said, asking not to be named.

Meanwhile, the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) has approved the project recently.