Dhaka’s waste-to-energy plant face backlash over air pollution
Construction of a power plant that will burn waste to generate electricity at a landfill near Bangladesh’s capital faces strong opposition from nearby communities, who say they fear severe health risks posed by toxic air pollution, reports contributor Eyamin Sajid for Mongabay. The $467 million project is being overseen by the municipal authority Dhaka North […]
A planned waste-to-energy plant near Bangladesh's capital city of Dhaka is facing strong opposition from local communities, who argue that the facility will cause severe health risks due to toxic air pollution. The $467 million project, being overseen by Dhaka North City Corporation and backed by Chinese multilateral lenders, is designed to incinerate up to 3,000 metric tons of municipal waste each day, generating up to 42.5 megawatts of electricity.
Completion is expected by December 2028. Nearby densely populated areas, including several schools, are situated within a mile of the proposed site. Local farmers have reported that uncontrolled waste fires at the current dumpsite already disrupt their work and well-being. "We can't breathe when waste is burned in the dumping station," stated Md Naim, a nearby farmer, describing the smoke as causing headaches and difficulty breathing.
According to the environmental impact assessment, the incinerator will emit 74.8 metric tons of fly ash daily, capable of becoming airborne. Environmental groups estimate the plant will produce 73,576 metric tons of solid waste annually, releasing 39.56 metric tons of hazardous substances, such as dioxins, furans, and heavy metals.
If the power plant is built and operated as planned, local residents, particularly children, are expected to face significant health risks.
Written by urgent.news from Mongabay's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
