Devotees across the capital began the traditional ritual of animal sacrifice on Thursday morning as early dark clouds gave way to bright sunshine after 9:00 AM. With no designated sacrificial zones designated by the authorities this year, slaughtering and meat preparation commenced directly within the city's streets, neighborhoods and alleys.
An estimated 700,000 animals will be sacrificed across Dhaka during Eid-ul-Azha, generating more than 54,000 tonnes of waste. To tackle this massive environmental challenge, the Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) and Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) have canceled all staff leaves and deployed a combined workforce of nearly 30,000 sanitation workers.
Dhaka South Targets 8-Hour Clearance
The Dhaka South City Corporation aims to clear its first-day waste within eight hours, setting a 9:30 PM deadline on Eid day. The corporation expects to process 33,942 tonnes of waste over three days, with the Matuail landfill operations kicking off at 1:30 PM.
To assist residents, DSCC has distributed eco-friendly disposal bags alongside bleaching powder and liquid disinfectants. Administrator Abdus Salam urged citizens to keep waste out of the sewage lines to prevent urban flooding.
"It can rain at any time," Salam warned. "If you throw sacrificial waste into the drains, it will choke the system and flood our roads."
Residents in the South zone can report uncollected waste or file complaints via two newly launched round-the-clock hotline numbers: 01709900888 and 02223386014.
Dhaka North Pledges 12-Hour Timeline
In the North, the DNCC has committed to clearing its designated areas within 12 hours of the ritual's start. DNCC Administrator Md. Shafiqul Islam Khan confirmed that 16,000 cleaning workers and a fleet of 750 specialized waste vehicles are actively on the ground.
Officials estimate the northern zone will generate roughly 20,000 tonnes of waste over the three days of Eid, all destined for the Amin Bazar landfill. The DNCC has distributed 1.63 million polythene bags, 3,600 bags of bleaching powder and thousands of cans of anti-bacterial disinfectants to neutralise odors and eliminate germs.
State Minister for Local Government Mir Shahe Alam requested full public cooperation, emphasizing that keeping the city clean is a shared civic duty. The ministry has launched a massive public awareness campaign using digital billboards, SMS alerts and 50,000 leaflets to guide citizens on proper waste disposal protocols.
