Bahadurgarh turns into garbage dump as sanitation workers’ strike enters Day 9

Bahadurgarh, a bustling industrial town on the Haryana-Delhi border, has turned into a garbage dump. Piles of garbage can be seen across the city amid the ongoing strike by sanitation workers engaged through a contractor by the Bahadurgarh Municipal Council (MC).

Workers have been on strike for the last nine days, demanding immediate release of their pending wages. According to them, they have not received their wages for the past three months, leaving them with no choice, but to stop work.

In the absence of these workers, garbage collection is being handled by regular municipal staff and contractual workers appointed by the state government. However, heaps of waste continue to pile up along main roads of the industrial town, highlighting the worsening sanitation crisis.

“Over 300 workers have been engaged by the contractor for lifting waste. We all are now on strike due to the non-release of our wages for the past three months. Majority of us depend entirely on this income to survive. Until our wages are paid, we will not return to work,” said Anil, one of the leaders of protesters.

Savita, a street vendor selling clay utensils along Jhajjar Road, expressed deep frustration over the situation. “The stench from the garbage near my shop has become unbearable. We are forced to run our shops from because we have no other means of earning livelihood. The MC must either resolve workers’ demands or find an alternative to lift waste every day,” she said.

Local residents echo the same distress. Sunil, who lives near Railway Road, painted a grim picture. “It’s becoming impossible to live here. Garbage is everywhere — outside our homes, shops and even near schools. The foul smell is overwhelming. We’re worried about outbreaks of disease, especially among children and the elderly. Stray dogs and cows rummage into trash, worsening the mess,” he said.

Satyender of Delhi Road said, “The authorities must act now as the city is suffering. Ordinary people like us are paying the price. It’s been more than a week with no proper cleaning. Even if the strike continues, the administration should at least ensure emergency sanitation services keep running in the city,” he said.

When contacted, Sunil Hooda, Bahadurgarh MC Sanitary Inspector, acknowledged the issue. “Workers are employed by a contractor who is responsible for giving their wages. The MC has not yet cleared the contractor’s dues, primarily because the post of District Municipal Commissioner is currently lying vacant. Once the dues are cleared, the contractor will be able to pay workers. The issue will be resolved soon,” he said.