ISLAMABAD/RAWALPINDI: The administrations in twin cities have finalised measures to keep the cities clean on Eidul Azha by establishing slaughter points and distributing biodegradable bags among residents to discourage them from disposing of sacrificial animals’ waste in public.

In a statement, the Capital Development Authority (CDA) said Islamabad had been divided into five zones, and each zone would be supervised by a chief sanitary inspector. It said the holidays had been cancelled and 2,500 workers would perform emergency Eid duties.

Over 250 vehicles will be deployed, said the CDA, adding that over 107 disposal pits had been set up at 55 different locations for waste disposal.

“…biodegradable plastic bags are being distributed in urban and rural areas of Islamabad to help citizens to dispose of waste safely. Citizens are urged to avoid slaughtering animals in scattered locations and instead use designated slaughter points,” the statement read. It also asked citizens to keep animal waste at the slaughter site. It warned legal action would be taken in case of violations.

In rural areas of Islamabad, where the authorities have no solid waste management system, the CDA claimed that sanitation facilities for Eid would be provided by the union councils that had finalised their measures in this regard.

According to CDA, citizens can contact the sanitation helpline at 1334 or 9213908, or call 9203216 and 9211555 for waste collection requests. They may also send WhatsApp messages or SMS to 03355001213.

Rawalpindi’s Eid plan

The leaves of the Rawalpindi sanitation staff have also been cancelled, Rawalpindi Waste Management Company (RWMC) Chief Executive Officer Rana Sajid Safdar told media persons in a press talk. “Approximately 11,687 workers will perform cleanliness duties... Around 2,823 vehicles will be deployed during the Eidul Azha cleanliness operation,” he said, adding that in all districts of Rawalpindi Division, the authorities would set up 73 permanent and 168 mobile transfer stations. “RWMC will distribute approximately 1.026 million biodegradable waste bags and more than 100,000 awareness pamphlets. To eliminate smell where animals will be sacrificed, 467,500 kilograms of lime powder will be used,” he said.

He said that at 135 major collective slaughter points, 497 workers and 206 vehicles will take part in the operation, adding that handcarts would be made available for waste collection from inaccessible narrow streets of the garrison city. “Work will continue 24/7 at 17 dumping sites, and 34 large trenches will be dug for safe disposal of animal waste. After completion of the operation, these trenches will be filled with soil and treated with lime,” he said.

Similarly, a team of 54 staffers will be deployed across 22 control rooms to manage Eid operations. For complaint registration, RWMC helpline 1139, control rooms, and special mobile numbers 0316-4801718, 0316-4801719, and 051-9291108 will remain fully active throughout Eid.

On the other hand, Chaklala Cantonment Board (CCB) would deploy 500 workers and 69 vehicles in different parts of the cantonment. Chaklala Cantonment Board Cantonment Executive Officer Amir Rashid said a monitoring cell had also been established.

Furthermore, Rawalpindi Cantonment Board (RCB) Additional Cantonment Executive Officer Arshad Khan said 10 wards were divided into different zones and 110 heavy vehicles and 700 employees would take part in the sanitation operation. “In case of rain and floods, the Rain Emergency Cell will work 24 hours. Three transfer points established for the transfer of waste…” he said.

Published in Dawn, June 6th, 2025