Garbage piles along roadsides in Tarn Taran pose health hazards

Garbage dumped on roadsides at different places of the town, having a rich religious history, has become a health hazard for residents. Repeated requests made in this regard to authorities concerned have fallen on deaf ears with officials looking the other way.

A social worker, Dalwinder Singh Pannu, said he has brought the matter to the notice of the officials many times over the past few months, but garbage can still be seen dumped on the main road, circular road, link road adjacent to the main post office, SBI road near the Jandiala road and other roads.

Daya Singh, Sonu, Kabal Singh, Kala, Jaswant Singh, Ranjit Singh Ladi and many others of the Noordi Adda Chowk (circular road) area said on the roadside, the practice of garbage dumping by residents has been continuing for over the past three years, which is lifted once a week and that too in the evening. As a result, residents and shopkeepers are forced to face unsanitary conditions, foul smell and potential health hazards throughout the week.

Some shopkeepers said they have lodged complaints with officials of the municipal council, the SDM, who is the administrator of the civic body, and even the Deputy Commissioner, but the problem persists.

Residents said near the garbage dumping site at Noordi Adda, there is a dera of the Baba Bidhi Chand sect, where devotees come throughout the day to have langar and water.

Kamaljit Singh, Executive Officer (EO) of the municipal council, said garbage from all the points is lifted till 12 noon and in case garbage is not removed, residents must bring the matter to his notice and he must take action against the sanitary inspectors.