Bhagtanwala dump yard’s boundary wall gives way

Tribune News Service

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Amritsar, October 3

The boundary wall around the dump yard at Bhagtanwala, which was constructed one and half years ago, has collapsed at various points. Residents alleged that the Municipal Corporation used substandard material to construct the 16-feet high boundary wall. It is pertinent to mention here that the government had sanctioned Rs 5 crore in 2014 to construct a boundary wall, besides developing a green belt around the Bhagtanwala dump yard and spraying medicine on garbage heaps to maintain hygiene in surroundings.

The damaged wall is of no use as problems of residents, especially who own agriculture land beyond the dump, remain unsolved. They complained that vehicles of the Municipal Corporation (MC) and the solid waste management company dumped garbage on road, which spread unhygienic conditions and caused harassment to the public.

A resident Satinder Preet Singh said, “It is difficult to cross the road around the dump yard. Drivers often park vehicles owned by the MC on road. We have complained to officials of the MC several times but to no avail.”

Owner of a brick kiln near the dump said, “We are facing problems due to garbage lying on the road. It is the only way to reach our brick kiln. It also disrupts our supply of bricks.”

Another resident Baljinder Singh, “Garbage has spilled on the road as the wall has collapsed. The government has used substandard material to construct the wall. That is why it fell within one-and-half year. The authorities are least bothered about the welfare of residents. Whenever the issue is raised, officials concerned take it lightly.”

Meanwhile, dump yard supervisor Kishore Kumar said, “During rainy season, vehicles were unloaded outside the boundary wall. Now, all vehicles unload garbage inside the yard. The solid waste management company has started removing waste, which was dumped outside the boundary wall. The road will be clean soon. The wall has collapsed at some points as it is quite high.”