Residents fume over poor sanitation in Ward No. 17

Avneet Kaur

Jalandhar, December 9

With garbage strewn over vacant plots as well as roadsides, the residents of Ward No. 17 are having a harrowing time for years. They say the Municipal Corporation (MC) has failed to come up with a solution to their problems.

Garbage can be seen on the footpath and vacant area alongside the road leading to Chugitti Chowk. The situation is no different in Guru Nanak Pura and Bashirpura where heaps of litter can be spotted frequently. Stray animals can be seen feeding on the garbage. Besides, such spots have become a breeding ground for mosquitoes.

Foul smell emanates from the garbage dumps. The threat of vector-borne diseases looms large owing to poor sanitation.

A shopkeeper, who didn’t wish to be named, said the MC elections were round the corner and several candidates were exhorting to change the appearance of the area “but they have done nothing to address the grievances of residents.”

According to residents, the MC has done nothing despite receiving a number of complaints. “The litter, which has covered a considerable portion of the area, stinks so we are worried about the health of our children,” said Mahesh Singh, a resident of the same area.

Another resident said the chowk leads to the GNDU regional campus was in a shabby state due to garbage dumps. “Students passing through it usually cover their faces due to the foul smell emanating from the garbage,” he said, adding that MC sweepers didn’t come here regularly.

When contacted, Ward No. 15 Councillor Manjinder Singh Chatha said, “Development in the ward has taken place. Five years ago, the area was facing a number of issues, majorly sewerage and garbage. There has been a lot of improvement. I have ensured regular lifting of garbage.”

Meanwhile, Chief Sanitary Inspector Hitesh Aggarwal said, “The MC is taking care of cleanliness and collection of garbage from every corner of the city. If residents are facing sanitary problems, we will get it checked and ensure the cleaning of the affected area.”