Poor waste management at a busy transport hub has left commuters exposed to foul odours, insect infestations and stagnant water, prompting growing calls for immediate municipal action to address mounting public health concerns.
A massive accumulation of rotting waste, plastic debris and stagnant water has turned the bustling Laksam and Sripolia CNG stand in Nangalkot, an upazila of Comilla district in southeastern Bangladesh, into a toxic environmental hazard, sparking severe health concerns among thousands of daily commuters and local residents.
Situated directly in front of the Bangladesh Telecommunications Company Limited (BTCL) office in Nangalkot and adjacent to a local family graveyard, the spot has transformed into an unofficial dumping ground despite a municipal waste bin being placed nearby.
A breeding ground for disease
An on-the-ground investigation by our correspondent revealed a horrifying state of environmental neglect. The area is currently littered with piles of plastic bags, household waste, organic refuse and discarded containers.
The investigation highlighted several critical hazards:
- Insect infestation: Countless larvae and insects were found swarming in stagnant water trapped in discarded plastic containers.
- Rotting waste sacks: Numerous discarded sacks and bags are visibly crawling with bugs and flies, emitting an unbearable stench.
- Vector-borne disease risks: The combination of rotting organic waste and stagnant water provides a perfect breeding ground for mosquitoes, significantly increasing the risk of dengue and chikungunya in the area.
Public suffering at a major transit point
Every day, hundreds of passengers, local residents and school and college students are forced to navigate past this filthy stretch. The proximity of the dump to a family graveyard has also drawn sharp criticism from locals, who view the littering as deeply disrespectful.
“It has become impossible to stand here even for a minute waiting for a CNG,” said a local college student. “The stench is suffocating, and swarms of flies and mosquitoes follow us everywhere. We are highly vulnerable to falling sick.”
Call for urgent intervention
Despite the presence of a green waste bin marked “Nangalkot Municipality,” waste management at the site appears to have completely broken down. The trash has spilled across the roadside, contaminating the soil and nearby water puddles.
Local residents and environmental activists are urging the Nangalkot municipal authorities to take immediate action to clear the garbage, disinfect the area and implement regular waste collection to restore public health and safety.
