Mound of garbage chokes Bangladesh railway station, commuters suffer

Commuters and residents at Shamshernagar Railway Station in Moulvibazar, Bangladesh, endure daily health hazards from a large, unmanaged garbage dump. The waste, accumulating for years due to the absence of a permanent dumping site, creates an unbearable stench and attracts swarms of flies and mosquitoes.

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Many shopkeepers have to sit in their shops with their noses and mouths covered. Customers also avoid the market because of the smell.

Local trader Shahidul Islam described the smell as unbearable, forcing shopkeepers to cover their faces and deterring customers. Pedestrian Shahadat Hossain noted the difficulty in moving around the area, while rickshaw-puller Mohammad Masud pointed out that the garbage has significantly narrowed the road, posing health risks.

Residents are concerned about diseases like diarrhea, skin ailments, and respiratory illnesses, particularly among vulnerable groups like children and the elderly, due to insects breeding in the waste. The situation worsens during summer and monsoon seasons.

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We have to keep our faces covered because of the stench. This is harmful to our health too.

Shamshernagar, an important railway station established in 1896, serves over half a million people and is located near a training air base, tourist spots, and tea gardens. Despite its significance, the station has seen no development since its construction during British rule. Environmental experts warn that prolonged waste dumping can contaminate soil and groundwater with harmful chemicals and bacteria, posing long-term risks to drinking water sources and contributing to air pollution.

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Prolonged dumping of waste in open areas can contaminate soil and groundwater. Harmful chemicals and bacteria can mix with rainwater and seep into nearby water bodies and groundwater, posing a long-term risk to drinking water sources.