ISLAMABAD: The Capital Development Authority’s (CDA) move to set up a temporary dumping site on the greenbelt along Murree Road in the Bhara Kau area has drawn strong criticism, as locals and passengers are facing the foul smell emanating from it.

The CDA has reportedly been dumping waste in the area for many months. Recently, however, it set up a temporary dumping site and also constructed a boundary wall to keep “this project away from the eyes of motorists.” But the CDA could not control the spreading foul smell.

This dumping site is situated on the greenbelt at the intersection of Bhara Kau bypass, Murree Expressway and Phulgran Link Road. When motorists enter Islamabad from the Murree side, the federal capital welcomes them with a pungent odour.

“This is nonsense, this dumping site should be shifted to some other place,” said Mudasir Khan, a tourist who was travelling back from Murree.

He said he enjoyed travelling on the Murree Expressway and in the Satra Meel area, but as soon as he turned his car towards the Bhara Kau bypass, he was hit by a waft of stench.

However, a senior CDA officer, when contacted, agreed with the concerns expressed by people and said that he would order the immediate removal of this site. Later, CDA spokesperson Shahid Kiani said, “It is not a dumping site. It is a temporary storage point that is being cleared today.”

In a late-night development, Mr Kiani made an announcement that the site has been closed and the remaining garbage will be picked up within two days.

It is relevant to note here that Islamabad has no proper landfill site, and it has been dumping garbage and waste in the Loser area of Rawalpindi. Before shifting the garbage to the temporary centre in I-9, the CDA dumps it at various sites, including the one in Bhara Kau.

From I-9, it shifts the waste to Rawalpindi for disposal.

Published in Dawn, August 27th, 2025