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Published : 22 May 2026, 01:12 AM
The two city corporations of Dhaka have made advanced preparations to swiftly remove animal waste during Eid-ul-Azha, aiming to cut the cleanup time down to eight hours.
While it took 12 hours to clear the sacrificial waste last year, the civic authorities have set a more aggressive eight-hour target for this Eid.
Comprehensive action plans have already been drawn up to meet this objective.
Administrators and waste management officials from both corporations confirmed that thousands of sanitation workers and a massive fleet of specialised vehicles will be deployed.
A detailed, formalised blueprint will be publicised at least two days before the festival.
For Eid-ul-Azha, which is scheduled to be celebrated on May 28, 2026, it is estimated that roughly 700,000 animals will be sacrificed across the capital, in line with trends from recent years.
This mass sacrifice is expected to generate nearly 50,000 tonnes of waste over the three days of celebrations.
Historical data from the Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) and Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) shows that 41,000 tonnes of waste were removed during the three days of Eid in 2023, over 39,000 tonnes in 2024, and 52,000 tonnes last year.
Civic bodies are finalising logistics under the assumption that waste volumes will increase further this year.
DSCC officials said they have specifically targeted an eight-hour window to eliminate the primary waste generated on the first day of Eid.
Echoing the sentiment, DNCC officials noted that they have completed tactical plans to mirror last year’s successful rapid-evacuation models.
Speaking to bdnews24.com, DSCC Administrator Abdus Salam said: "We will deploy extra manpower and vehicles for Eid waste management compared to normal days. Full-scale cleaning operations will launch at 12pm on Eid day, with the goal of clearing the first day's primary waste within eight hours."
"To achieve this, double the normal number of waste trucks and triple the standard workforce will be on the ground. We are preparing with the forecast that well over 100,000 animals will be slaughtered in the south alone, bringing a higher volume of refuse than last year," Salam added.
Providing a granular breakdown, DSCC Chief Waste Management Officer Air Commodore Md Mahbubur Rahman Talukder said nearly 2,080 vehicles -- including dump trucks, compactors, container carriers, pay loaders, and tired dozers -- will join the three-day special operation. Dedicated supervisor vehicles will track field progress.
"A total workforce of 12,853 personnel will be engaged in the cleaning drive. This includes over 6,500 of the corporation’s regular staff, supplemented by Primary Waste Collection Service Providers (PCSP) and other external vendors," Mahbubur Rahman said, adding that special waste systems have been designed around DSCC’s 11 makeshift cattle markets.
The DSCC is also distributing approximately 140,000 biodegradable bags, 45 tonnes of bleaching powder, and 207 gallons of Savlon antiseptic liquid directly to citizens.
To discourage residents from slaughtering animals on open streets or beneath residential buildings, four to five designated sacrificial spots equipped with temporary sheds and cleaning kits have been set up in every ward.
The entire operation will be monitored from a central control room at Nagar Bhaban alongside localised zonal committees.
Meanwhile, the DNCC has tailored its waste management and health wings based on data from last year, when it cleared 20,889 tonnes of waste over three days -- comprising 10,616 tonnes on Eid day, 7,353 tonnes on the second day, and 2,922 tonnes on the third.
To brace for a similar volume, the DNCC is distributing 1.63 million heavy-duty polybags to citizens, alongside 3,600 25kg sacks of bleaching powder to disinfect stained streets.
The DNCC's logistics fleet features 261 internal vehicles and 405 hired dumpers, pay loaders, and water bows, with an additional 86 private transport units operating across 26 wards.
DNCC officials outlined four primary operational strategies for the festival:
Selecting and training 1,000 professional meat processors across 54 wards.
Launching widespread public awareness campaigns via mosque sermons, civic rallies, television, radio, newspapers, and leafleting.
Setting up a central control room and 10 monitoring teams across 10 zones three days prior to Eid.
Ensuring all slaughtering zones and landfills are fully operational a day before Eid.
Special mobile courts will also patrol cattle markets to ensure leaseholders comply with municipal guidelines.
Simultaneously, the DNCC health department’s veterinary wing -- including 10 veterinary officers, two slaughterhouse inspectors, and 18 butchers and cleaners -- will monitor animal health.
Backed by the Department of Livestock Services (DLS), temporary medical camps will be set up at all makeshift markets, with two dedicated teams posted at the permanent Gabtoli cattle market.
To provide technical and religious guidance, 1,000 Imams and butchers -- 100 from each of the 10 municipal zones -- are receiving formal training at local community centres.
Expressing confidence in the blueprint, DNCC Chief Waste Management Officer Commodore Mohammad Humayun Kabir told bdnews24.com: "The administrator has provided clear directives. We are fully prepared to execute this cleanup operation successfully."
