The Jhilmil Housing Project was launched nearly three decades ago to help solve the capital's housing crisis. Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (RAJUK) took the initiative to develop the project on 160 acres of land in Keraniganj, along the Dhaka-Mawa highway. But not a single brick has been laid there yet. Because the area has remained unused for so long, parts of the project site have become dumping grounds. Recently, RAJUK instructed plot owners to start construction work.

A visit to the Jhilmil residential area shows waste scattered all around. Both sides of the passport office and areas along the Dhaka-Mawa highway are filled with garbage. Even the canal next to the Jhilmil project has not been spared.

Talking to residents revealed that waste contractors from the Upazila and Union Parishad dump garbage in Jhilmil and surrounding areas at night or early morning. Since no one lives there, no one objects. Because of the strong smell, it has become difficult to even walk near the area.

When asked about this, Khurshid Alam Sagar, the secretary of Shuvadda Union Parishad, told Bonik Barta, "I am aware that garbage is being dumped in the Jhilmil residential area. I have warned the concerned parties. But since we don't have a proper dumping site, this has become a problem."

On April 29, RAJUK notified all Jhilmil plot owners to begin house construction quickly. The notice stated that if construction is not started, fines will be imposed, and, in some cases, the plot allocation may be canceled.

According to the notice signed by RAJUK director (Administration) ABM Ehsanul Mamun, electricity supply lines, including two substations from Dhaka Palli Bidyut Samiti-4, and water supply lines, including two deep tube wells from Dhaka WASA, have already been installed in sectors 1, 2, 4, 5, and 6 of the Jhilmil project. Once plot owners apply, the relevant agencies will take steps to provide connections.

The notice further said that after completing the lease and deed registration process, owners must begin construction according to RAJUK's land, plot, space, and flat allocation rules. Failure to do so will result in a fine and even cancellation of the plot allocation.

Plot owners have said that the sectors in the Jhilmil residential area where RAJUK has instructed people to start living have now turned into garbage dumps. A man named Amir Hossain said, "I have a plot here. I'm getting ready to build a house. But because of the bad smell, living there is impossible."

RAJUK itself is facing trouble over garbage dumping in the Jhilmil area. Project director Md. Aminur Rahman told Bonik Barta, "We are in a serious problem. Waste is being dumped not only beside the project area but also inside it—in sectors 1 and 2. We've stopped many vehicles and warned people. Now, we are thinking of filing a case. If necessary, we will also write to the local administration."

Urban planner Dr. Adil Muhammed Khan believes that because of unplanned housing and a lack of foresight from RAJUK, such an important area like Jhilmil has slowly turned into a garbage dumping ground. He told Bonik Barta, "Our national waste management system is very weak. In places like Jhilmil and other housing areas on the outskirts of Dhaka, there is no plan for where landfills or secondary transfer stations should be located. People saw that Jhilmil had been lying unused for years. Slowly, they began dumping waste there. This is entirely RAJUK's failure. Why has the area not been made livable after so many years? I see this as a result of poor planning. RAJUK must now take immediate steps to find a proper solution."