The Power Development Board and Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) had entered into an agreement to allocate 30 acres of land to a Chinese company for the establishment of a waste-to-energy plant in Amin Bazar.
The then minister of local government had disclosed that the land acquisition, amounting to Tk336 crore, was completed under this agreement.
However, since the political upheaval of 5 August, the project’s progress has been sluggish.
Initial construction of the waste-to-energy plant began on 10 September 2023, with plans to produce 42.5 megawatts of electricity daily and integrate this output into the national grid by October 2025.
Yet, a visit to the site last Thursday revealed that the northern section of the 30-acre project area remains covered by heaps of garbage continuously deposited by municipal waste vehicles.
Strict confidentiality surrounds the project, with media personnel and the public barred from entry.
On-site inspections showed the landfill site, which was once 30 feet deep, has been filled.
Security personnel, including Sanjit Chandra, confirmed to reporters that work has been halted since 5 August, under the supervision of DNCC in collaboration with China Machinery Engineering Corporation.
“Currently, everything is on hold,” Chandra stated.
“No work is getting done.”
Mohaiminul Islam, a project official, cited complications as the reason for restricting visitor access.
He insisted that while work has not ceased, it is progressing slowly.
He added, “The City Corporation can provide a better update on the progress. There are significant electricity shortages, and this project aims to address that. However, several issues need resolution before sharing further details.”
DNCC Chief Executive Officer and Joint Secretary Mohammad Masud Alam Siddique maintained that the project is ongoing, with half of the land acquisition complete.
“Initially, 30 acres were acquired, but this is insufficient. We plan to acquire an additional 50 acres, bringing the total to 80 acres. Once this expansion is complete, the foundation stone will be laid,” he informed.
Under the agreement, DNCC is expected to supply 3,000 tonnes of waste daily.
The government will make no financial investment in the plant, and the electricity produced will be purchased by the Power Division.
The plant’s anticipated daily output of 42.5 megawatts is expected to be more cost-effective than diesel-generated electricity.
Despite plans for the plant’s integration into the national grid by October 2025, no tangible signs of this timeline being met are apparent.
Officials remain unable to confirm when the project will be completed.
