Photo: BSS

CHATTOGRAM, June 16, 2026 (BSS) - Chattogram City Corporation (CCC) Mayor Dr. Shahadat Hossain today said waste should be treated as a valuable resource rather than a burden, stressing the need for modern waste management to build a clean, healthy and environmentally sustainable city.

He expressed keen interest in implementing a waste-to-energy project in the port city, saying electricity generation from municipal waste could offer an effective solution to both waste management and energy needs.

The mayor made the remarks during a courtesy call by a delegation of Japan's JFE Engineering at the Nagar Bhaban here.

During the meeting, JFE Engineering representatives informed that a detailed feasibility study for the proposed waste-to-energy project had been completed for the 2025-26 fiscal year with support from Japan's Ministry of the Environment. The company is now interested in moving ahead with the project based on the study's findings.

They also said efforts are underway to implement the initiative under the Japan-Bangladesh Public-Private Partnership (PPP) framework and that the relevant Japanese ministry has already given preliminary approval for the project.

Highlighting the city's growing waste management challenges, Dr. Shahadat said Chattogram generates a huge volume of waste every day, which, if left unmanaged, contributes to environmental pollution, waterlogging and public health risks.

He said the proposed project is not merely an electricity generation initiative but also an important step towards sustainable urban management and climate change mitigation through the production of renewable energy from waste.

The mayor noted that combining Japanese technology and expertise with Bangladesh's practical needs could open a new horizon in waste management in Chattogram.

He urged both the Bangladesh and Japanese governments to expedite implementation of the project through close cooperation.

The JFE Engineering delegation included Gene Takahashi, Kenta Ohashi and Bhaskar Saha.

Among others, CCC Acting Chief Executive Officer and Secretary Md. Ashraful Amin and Chief Conservancy Officer Captain Ikhtiar Uddin Ahmed Chowdhury were present at the meeting.

According to the feasibility study, around 12 to 15 megawatts of electricity could be generated by processing nearly 1,000 tonnes of waste daily, significantly improving the city's waste management system while contributing to environmental protection.