Strong resentment has grown in Lalmohan municipality of Bhola over the disposal of municipal waste. Locals allege that garbage is now being dumped directly on the Lalmohan helipad, which is designated for helicopter landings and takeoffs. They claim the practice is being carried out on the instructions of the municipal administrator.

A visit to the site found piles of garbage spread across the helipad. The severe stench has made it difficult for residents and pedestrians in the surrounding area to breathe comfortably. Several groups of stray dogs gather there every day, attracted by the waste. Over the past few days, three people have reportedly been injured in dog attacks. Cattle, goats, ducks and chickens in the area are also being attacked.

Residents of the helipad area, Md. Shafiullah, Hasanuzzaman and Rasheda Begum, said, “How reasonable is it to dump garbage at a place where helicopters land in emergencies? The smell is unbearable. We are afraid to leave our homes because of the dogs.”

Local resident Saju Chowdhury said, “Even going to the mosque for Fajr prayers has become frightening because of the fear of dogs.”

They also said they had repeatedly made written and verbal requests to the Lalmohan Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) and municipal administrator to address the issue, but no solution has been provided.

It is worth mentioning that the municipality had previously been dumping garbage beside the busy highway adjacent to the helipad. The practice was stopped after the issue was reported in the media.

Regarding the matter, Lalmohan Upazila Nirbahi Officer and Municipal Administrator Mohammad Sifat Bin Sadek said, “There is no scope for dumping garbage on the helipad. We do not want that either. But the municipality does not have its own dumping station. We are being forced to use this place temporarily.”

He further said a proposal to purchase land and establish a dumping station had been rejected by the ministry last month. The municipality is now identifying government-owned khas land and preparing to submit a new proposal.

Residents of the first-class Lalmohan Municipality have long been demanding a designated dumping station for municipal waste. Former administrator Md. Shah Aziz had promised to purchase land for the purpose, but the commitment was never implemented.

Locals are demanding that garbage dumping at the helipad be stopped immediately, the accumulated waste be removed and a permanent dumping station for the municipality be established as soon as possible.