Burning of garbage goes unabated

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, November 24

Garbage heaps dot industrial area as the city seems to be battling fire incidents. To make matters worse, garbage is set on fire, which not only pollutes air around industry, but can also lead to a major mishap.

Much to the dismay of workers and visitors garbage comprising industrial waste lies strewn on sides of industrial units and other places. It poses a health risk to the people visiting and working in the area.

As the garbage contains much of the industrial waste, it tends to pollute the surroundings to a much higher degree than the other waste in residential areas.

Industrialists allege that garbage is dumped along units as there is no proper dumping site in the area. One such dumping site is farther off in the Cheema Chowk area, but there are no designated places in the industrial area.

Speaking about the problem, Manjit Singh Matharoo, general secretary, Association of Ludhiana Machine Tool Industries, said, “Tonnes of waste is generated in the industrial area, but due to the absence of any designated spots for its disposal in the Industrial Area A, it is dumped by industries, which is a big risk to the health of workers, industry owners and visitors.”

“There is a need for a compacter, like the one that has been set up in Dugri. Industrial waste is much more toxic and thus harmful. So, the authorities concerned must ensure proper designated sites for its dumping and disposal,” he added.

“The problem in industrial area is not limited to dumping of garbage at any specific site. Rather it is setting garbage on fire to make space so that more waste can be dumped, which makes the matter worse,” he said.

“What is the way out? If garbage is not picked up by the MC, then it can only be burnt,” said a labourer in a factory. Several such heaps of waste are also set on fire almost every day. The threat of such fires leading to major blaze always looms large.

“The administration and Municipal Corporation must find a way out as it is a constant threat. The problem lies at both ends. The civic body must work out a way for proper garbage disposal and also prevent its burning,” said another industrialist.

When asked, Municipal Commissioner Jaskiran Singh said, “There are designated sites in the industrial area for dumping garbage. Challans will be issued to anyone dumps their waste in the open.”