For thousands of daily commuters and local residents, the journey along the bustling Dhaka-Bhairab-Mymensingh Highway at Jailkhana intersection in Kishoreganj comes with an unavoidable, nauseating toll.
Though the site is enclosed by boundary walls, waste is frequently seen spilling beyond its designated area, forming scattered heaps along the roadside.
What should have been a controlled disposal system has gradually turned into an open dumping ground. The stench of rotting waste now hangs in the air, greeting commuters long before they reach the site. For pedestrians, travellers, shopkeepers and nearby residents, it has become part of daily life.
Locals say the problem is not new. For years, garbage has been dumped beyond the enclosure without effective monitoring or enforcement. Despite repeated complaints, they claim no lasting solution has been implemented.
The situation is particularly difficult for children and elderly residents in nearby homes, who are more vulnerable to the health impacts of prolonged exposure to polluted air and contaminated surroundings.
Beyond the immediate discomfort, environmental concerns are becoming more serious. The dumping station sits close to low-lying areas, farmland and a nearby waterbody.
Experts and residents alike fear that leachate (the toxic liquid formed as waste decomposes) may seep into the soil and gradually contaminate groundwater. If this continues unchecked, it could reduce soil fertility and affect crop production in surrounding agricultural land.
There is also growing concern over the impact on local fisheries. Contaminated runoff entering nearby water sources could harm farmed fish, creating a chain of risks that may ultimately reach the dinner table.
Every day, thousands of people pass through this busy highway corridor, making the dumping site one of the most visible entry points into Kishoreganj.
Instead of reflecting civic order, it now stands as a reminder of urban waste management challenges and the urgent need for proper supervision, regular maintenance and sustainable disposal practices.
