Who will clean Amritsar? Waste disposal remains threat to public health, environment

Garbage mismanagement in the holy city has reached an alarming proportion, affecting the lives of residents, businesses and the environment. Due to improper lifting of garbage, residents throw their waste on vacant plots in their localities. These vacant plots and grounds have become a breeding ground for diseases, polluting water bodies and causing deterioration in air quality.

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Residents often set garbage heaps dumped on vacant plots on fire to clean these areas. However, the burning of waste also creates health hazards in the form of toxic fumes and smoke.

“The garbage dumping ground near our locality is a constant source of worry for us. Every rainy season, we have to bear the stench emanating from the rotting waste,” said Roshan Lal, a resident of 88-Foot-Road. “The stench is unbearable, and the flies and mosquitoes are a nuisance. We fear for our health and well-being,” he said.

Business in the area is also suffering. “The garbage dump near our market is driving customers away,” said Gurpreet Singh, a shop owner on Jhabal Road. “The foul smell and ungainly sight are hurting our business interests. We urge the authorities to find a solution,” he said, while adding that due to stench, customers do not come to their area.

Pollution from the dumping grounds is also contaminating water bodies, including the Upper Bari Doab Canal (UBDC). “The canal, which supplies water to our farms, is getting polluted due to the garbage,” said Jaswinder Singh, a farmer from a nearby village. “It affects our crops and livelihood,” he pointed out.

Air pollution from the dumping grounds is another major concern. “The smoke from the burning garbage is causing respiratory problems for my family,” said Manjit Kaur, a resident of Verka. She said people wanted immediate resolution of the issue from the authorities.

Experts warn that the situation woule worsen if left unchecked. “Garbage mismanagement has severe consequences for the public health, environment and economy,” said Parm Ghumman, an environmentalist. “The city needs a comprehensive waste management plan, including segregation, recycling and proper disposal,” she said.

Dr Kiran Kumar, Municipal Health Officer, said, “We are working on improving waste management infrastructure and enforcing segregation at source. We will also increase public awareness campaigns.”

However, residents and businesses remain sceptical. “We’ve heard promises before, but nothing changes,” said Gurpreet Singh. “We need action, not words,” he said. The practice of setting the garbage on fire is rampant in the city. Not only residents, the government departments including forest and horticulture wing of the municipal corporation, burn plant residue in gardens, parks and green belts.

There is a provision to issue challans to violators under the Punjab Municipal Act. However, the municipal corporation hardly issues challans or imposes penalty on anyone for burning garbage or plant residue. In the past few years, the MC has set up a number of garbage dumping sites across the city. Door-to-door collection vehicles dump waste at these sites.