Ranjit Avenue residents demand shifting of dumpyard from locality

Heaps of garbage dotting an open space near Anand Park adjoining Ranjit Avenue’s E-block belies tall claims of the municipal corporation to ensure a clean and green environment in one of the most posh pockets of the city.

Anil Vasudeva, a resident, said the district shopping centre, situated in the locality, is frequented by hundreds of people daily. Unhygienic surroundings hinder visitors’ entrance and approach to hundreds of offices, showrooms and food outlets and hotels which are visited daily by visitors, tourists and dignitaries. Unclean environs only highlight carelessness and negligence on the part of the authorities concerned. The municipal corporation, which is supposed to provide cleanliness and take steps to prevent the spread of diseases here, is to blame for the spread of diseases and mounds of garbage.

The place has high prevalence of mice, dogs, cattle, flies and mosquitoes, which in turn spread diseases all around. The company is handling garbage lifting and shifting it in a very irresponsible manner. Piles of and scattered garbage can be seen every time everywhere in the area.

It is also learned that political parties just indulge in a blame game over public health and interest issues. Instead of ridding people of garbage scattered at places, they prefer to criticise other parties for their failure to address the issue.

The company managing garbage collection and disposal should be given a dump so that its services are not hindered.

These matters were taken up by residents of Ranjit Avenue during a meeting attended, among others, by MP Gurjeet Singh Aujla, MLA (North) Kunwar Vijay Partap, the MC Commissioner, officials of the police, the Amritsar Improvement Trust and the municipal corporation at Bachat Bhavan.

Residents were represented by the District Shopping Centre Association (E Block and D Block) and the Housing Board Association of Ranjit Avenue. The major issue discussed was the shifting of the garbage dump from the locality. The matter was taken seriously and actions were assured in two to three months by the administration.