Dhaka’s waste-to-energy project faces opposition from pollution-weary residents

Yeasmin Begum, a resident of Dhaka, has lived near the Amin Bazar landfill for her entire life. She frequently experiences allergies due to the foul smell emanating from the waste, which often leads to colds and coughing. The stench is so pervasive that it makes breathing difficult, particularly when waste collectors burn the trash in the open air, releasing smoke and ashes that envelop her home and surroundings.

The city authorities have proposed a waste-to-energy project, which would incinerate up to 3,000 metric tons of trash daily to generate electricity. This would be the first-ever such project in Bangladesh, aimed at addressing the growing issue of municipal waste. The North Dhaka project, with a capacity of 42.5 megawatts, is expected to be completed by December 2028, four years later than originally planned.

The project, owned by the China Machinery Engineering Corporation, has received significant funding from multilateral lenders such as the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank and the New Development Bank, both based in China.

However, the project has faced opposition from residents living near the landfill, who have been enduring the adverse effects of polluted air, water, and soil for years. Yeasmin Begum is one of the many concerned citizens who worries about the potential release of toxic substances like heavy metals and dioxins into the environment if the project proceeds as planned.

The residents fear that the daily burning of thousands of tons of municipal waste could exacerbate their health issues and further degrade the living conditions in the area.