Cong leader Anil Joshi calls for protest tomorrow over Ranjit Avenue garbage dump

Former cabinet minister and Congress leader Anil Joshi has announced a two-hour protest on Tuesday against the garbage dump at Ranjit Avenue. Joshi visited the site in front of the Housing Board Colony and went live on social media to make the announcement. He also recorded and shared visuals of the fire burning at the dump, alleging that continuous waste burning is putting the health of nearby residents at serious risk.

Joshi said the garbage dump near Government ITI College, Amrit Anand Park and the Housing Board Colony has been repeatedly opposed by residents, yet civic authorities have failed to act. He alleged that wet garbage mixed with burning plastic bags is releasing toxic fumes, forcing people in the surrounding posh localities to breathe polluted air. The situation, he added, is particularly harmful for children studying in nearby schools.

He claimed that the smoke and foul smell are spreading far beyond the immediate neighbourhood, and that even visitors inside Trilium Mall are finding it difficult to breathe. Joshi said that during his tenure he had developed Amrit Anand Park and improved sanitation in the area, but accused the current government and the Municipal Corporation of ignoring public health concerns.

Residents who met Joshi complained that their family members often fall ill due to the pollution caused by the dump. Joshi blamed the Punjab Government, the Amritsar Municipal Corporation and the Amritsar Improvement Trust for negligence, saying that repeated complaints have led to no action.

Urging residents to unite, he appealed to all nearby colonies to join the protest. The demonstration will be held on Tuesday from 10 am to 12 noon as a warning to the government and civic bodies. Joshi said that if the issue is not resolved, the agitation will be intensified, and symbolic actions such as blocking the municipal corporation’s gates may also be considered.