Bhagtanwala dump still a headache for residents

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, December 8 

The unresolved issue of Bhagtanwala dump is one of the biggest problems being faced by residents of Ishwar Nagar, Arjun Dev Nagar, and Gali Jamun Wali of ward number 65 and 40 of the South constituency. 

Residents said they were tired of continuous assurances by various political leaders and hoped that the problem might be solved in the upcoming MC elections. 

The garbage dumps pose several health hazards for residents. Most of the residents complain that due to the continuous burning of garbage, the air quality gets depleted which gives rise to various chest-related issues. The roads in the areas are also poorly maintained and lack of proper sewerage systems often causes water pollution in the area. 

Hemraj, a resident said: “We have been living on assurances since long. Our children suffer from health issues. I lost my daughter-in-law due to health complications caused by lack of development in the area.” Another resident Swarn Kaur said: “Recently, I lost my husband due to aliment he developed because of the air pollution. The problem has killed several others in the area.”

Residents said hardly any attention was being paid to the area and even the existing infrastructure was falling apart. The Raminder Singh Bolaria Memorial Park is in bad condition. The musical fountain built for Rs 1.50 crore has been lying defunct and lack of maintenance has forced people to refrain from visiting the park for morning and evening recreations. 

“The green belt of the area is in a miserable condition, they are dry, mostly eaten by the stray animals. And the roads have developed patches and potholes,” said a resident. 

“No one really cares about the real issue. Be it the garbage dumps, roads, park, or traffic in the area. Everything is being politicised and no solution has been given,” said resident Jai Inder Singh.