Amid staff strike, garbage set on fire

Praful Chander Nagpal

Fazilka, June 13

With garbage strewn across the town a month after sanitary workers went on strike, the litter is now being set on fire, causing pollution in residential areas.

As many as 190 regular and contractual workers had proceeded on strike in support of their demands on May 13. According to an estimate, 900 ton garbage had piled up in the town as 30 ton was collected daily.

Mounds of garbage have been set on fire in several parts of the town. Garbage fires have been reported in the TV Tower Colony, Patwarkhana and Railway Road areas, emanating poisonous gases from polythene bags.

“The smoke has is causing inconvenience to patients already battling the pandemic,” says Ajay Rai, a resident.

Residents say the government has failed miserably in make alternative arrangements to lift garbage, forcing them to fend for themselves. The government has failed to persuade sanitary workers to end their strike as their demands are yet to be fulfilled.

Naresh Khera, sanitary inspector, Fazilka MC, said the council would look into the allegations of garbage fires.

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