Garbage collection stalls in poor colonies as workers demand higher charges

The city’s sanitation system is in disarray after the solid waste management company, Award, halted its operations. Municipal corporation officials are now relying on the company’s former workers to lift garbage, but the situation remains chaotic.

Residents of low-income colonies have alleged that sanitation workers are now demanding Rs 100 per house for garbage collection. Locals from Jhugian Wala Chowk in Jodha Fatak claimed that private vehicles are only collecting garbage from affluent households, while poorer colonies are being neglected. “Only the rich are getting basic services now. We are being forced to live in filth,” said Harish Dhawan, a resident of Gali No.18, New Dashmesh Nagar.

According to sources, around 70 vehicles and 10 tractor-trolleys, previously operated by Award, are currently being used to collect garbage from nearly 70,000 households and various commercial establishments. However, residents allege that sanitation workers are now demanding double the earlier amount. Instead of Rs 50, they are being asked to pay Rs 100 per house, and larger homes are being charged Rs 300 instead of Rs 200. In some cases, workers are even issuing receipts for the inflated amounts.

In New Dashmesh Nagar, garbage has reportedly not been lifted for over a week. “When we asked the workers, they said they will only collect garbage from houses that pay Rs 100 per month,” said Dhawan. Another resident, Sabi, added, “Where are our elected councillors? They never visit our area. We don’t even know who they are or where they live.”

Sunny, another resident, said that garbage is being collected regularly from nearby areas like Mahindra Colony, Sundar Nagar, and Pawan Nagar, where more financially secure families reside. “Even those of us willing to pay are being ignored. No garbage vehicle comes here. If this continues, we’ll soon be facing serious health issues,” he warned.