Faridabad: Dumped waste near govt school plagues students, staff

Bijendra Ahlawat

Faridabad, March 6

The dumping of untreated waste adjacent to the premises of Government Middle School at Dabua village is adversely affecting students and staff members. Despite several complaints lodged in recent days, no action has been taken so far.

“The students and staff are confronted with an unbearable odour emanating from the dumped waste, making it impossible for them to concentrate on their studies,” stated Om Vrat, a schoolteacher.

He said the problem began around 10 days ago when multiple truckloads of civic waste were dumped on an open plot adjacent to the school, covering an area of about an acre. The stench has become so unbearable that classes are being conducted outdoors as the waste is situated close to classroom windows.

School Head Mistress Sangeet Bala said a complaint was lodged with the Commissioner of the Municipal Corporation of Faridabad (MCF) last week, but they were still awaiting a response.

It has been reported that the land where the waste is being dumped has remained unused for several years. The school, which was upgraded to middle level in 2008, has been serving the residents of the village and nearby colonies for the past 32 years.

A similar incident occurred last month when residents of Sainik Colony protested against the dumping of waste near their colony. Recent complaints suggest that the civic body, in collusion with contractors, is unlawfully dumping waste in nearby villages.

Jitender Bhadana, an activist associated with the NGO, Save Aravali, said, “Dumping waste in or near residential areas or schools not only violates the law but also endangers the health of minor students.”

Blaming the civic authorities, Bhadana alleged that civic waste is being dumped anywhere in the city due to the ban on dumping waste at the old site on the Faridabad-Gurugram highway and the directives from the National Green Tribunal to clear the waste mountain from the Bandhwari landfill site.

Padam Bhushan, Executive Engineer at MCF, stated that someone had begun filling the land as it belongs to a private individual.