Dirty water floods street as trash dump wall gives way

Residents blame closing of drain pipe by ‘politician’ for wall collapse

Box: Councillor sees mischief

Local councillor and Deputy Mayor Farmila said: “It seems to be a mischief by someone. It can also be an act of the Opposition.” She claimed the pipe carrying dirty water was closed following local people’s demand, and not on behalf of a politician.

Sandeep Rana

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, June 12

Dirty water from the waste dump flooded the nearby street at Dadu Majra after a part of the boundary wall collapsed in the rain last night. Residents living close to the boundary wall had a tough time as the night rain and the dirty water flowing from the dump compounded their problems. A few residents were seen removing the dirty water from the street with brooms in the wee hours.

“It was at 3 am when the wall collapsed with a loud sound. Some thought there was some earthquake. But after they came out of their houses, they saw dirty water accumulated in the street. Foul smell and unhygienic condition gave them a sleepless night,” shared Dyal Krishan, a local resident.

“Recently, a local politician got the drain pipe at the dump closed as water entered his area. This led to the accumulation of dirty water near the wall. During the last night rain, the wall collapsed all of a sudden,” he alleged.

Harjinder Singh, chairman, Residents Welfare Association, Dadu Majra, said: “Dirty water accumulated in the street has led to unhygienic conditions. Recently, two persons died due to cancer and breathlessness, respectively. Their houses fall right near the boundary wall. We are not being heard even as we are facing several health problems such as asthma, TB, lung disease and other respiratory diseases due to the inhaling of this poisonous gas emanating from the waste.”

He said the local residents staged a protest today, following which a contractor of the Municipal Corporation visited the spot and started repairs in the afternoon.

During a visit to the area, Chandigarh Tribune found that not only the boundary wall but also the toe wall had collapsed. The low-lying area along the full stretch of the boundary wall was waterlogged. Similar incidents can happen in other areas also.

Meanwhile, the local councillor and Deputy Mayor, Farmila, said: “I myself visited the area and got the repairs started. Besides, on Monday, a tender regarding the construction of a 15-foot boundary wall around the dumping ground will be floated under the Smart City project.”

When asked about the cause of the wall collapse, she alleged: “It seems to be a mischief by someone. It could also be an act of the Opposition.” She claimed the pipe carrying dirty water was closed following local people’s demand, and not on behalf of a politician.