Chandpur, June 18 -- Once known for its vibrant markets, bustling roads and deep-rooted heritage, Hajiganj municipality in Chandpur now groans under the weight of a crisis it can no longer ignore, a mounting sea of waste threatening the health and dignity of its people.

Every day, some 60 tonnes of waste are left scattered across this busy town, not in hidden corners or behind closed gates, but right in the heart of its daily life.

Streets, water bodies, bridges and even revered landmarks have become unwilling hosts to piles of filth that emit a stench strong enough to make passersby wince and residents fall ill.

The municipality, home to over 100,000 people and a floating population of up to 60,000 more, is among the more developed ur...