Install more bins, segregate waste & penalise litterbugs

Trucks to handle bin collection needed

Jalandhar is an urban city with a high volume of goods production every day—and an even higher amount of waste generation. For a city that produces roughly 300 to 500 tons of garbage daily, the number of dustbins on the streets is alarmingly low. People often struggle to find proper places to dispose of their waste due to the lack of well-maintained and organised garbage disposal bins. In the rush, they tend to litter without considering the long-term consequences such actions can lead to. The government really needs to look into this matter urgently. First and foremost, citizens should be motivated to keep their trash with them until they either reach home or find a proper place to dispose of it. This simple act alone can significantly reduce land pollution. Additionally, strict enforcement is necessary. Anyone caught littering on the streets should face hefty fines and penalties. The government must also implement plans to install dustbins throughout the city with all three types of waste segregation clearly marked—recyclable, organic and general waste. There should be trucks assigned to regularly clean and empty these bins to ensure they remain fresh and ready for use. This systematised approach to garbage collection and disposal can go a long way in maintaining cleanliness and improving the overall sanitation of Jalandhar.

Lakshit Jindal

Outsource city’s waste disposal system

It’s most unfortunate that the municipal authorities of Jalandhar have miserably failed to manage the city’s garbage collection and disposal scientifically. They are struggling even to meet basic sanitation standards. This failure can be attributed to their piecemeal approach over the years—primarily caused by dirty city politics or a lack of political will to pursue permanent and sustainable solutions. As of now, the only viable solution appears to be outsourcing the entire process—from the collection to the recycling of garbage—in accordance with the latest approved standards, including proper management of local cleanliness.

Jagdish Chander

Need to Stop Plot Littering

The Deputy Commissioners and the Commissioner of the Municipal Corporation’s strict orders and steps to prevent littering on vacant plots have been welcomed by city residents. The administration has already issued notices to the plot owners, instructing them either to get the dumped garbage lifted from their plots or face consequences. Owners have also been advised to properly wall their plots so that no one can throw waste garbage there. Although there are a few designated spots in the city where garbage is collected from houses and streets and then dumped before being lifted by authorities, the issue of people throwing waste into vacant plots remains unresolved. This raises a critical question: what is the viable alternative to dumping waste in such plots? A practical solution would be to place dustbins at multiple locations where the public can dump collected garbage. From these bins, authorities can then collect the waste using their existing lifting systems. Funds for such an initiative can be arranged under the Smart City Project. Alternatively, the Municipal Corporation may need to secure funds from the state exchequer for the purchase of new bins to manage both industrial and residential waste. In the past, large bins were installed at various locations from where garbage trucks routinely loaded and transported waste to designated dumping areas.

Rajat Kumar Mohindru

Structured approach needed

There are no easy solutions to the mammoth problem of garbage generation in the region. Only a structured and organised approach can address this perennial issue. It does not bode well for a Municipal Corporation to place the entire onus on citizens when it fails to provide even the most basic necessity—dustbins—to manage trash effectively and keep it off roads and other public spaces where it does not belong. Once dustbins are installed in ample numbers, it will also become easier to penalise, fine, or challan any citizen who continues to litter roads or thoroughfares. At the same time, citizens must also not act irresponsibly and dump all their garbage on roads, street sides, or open spaces. It takes cooperation from both the Municipal Corporation and the citizens to tackle the garbage problem effectively, and installing dustbins is an essential first step in that direction.

Sunita Mahendru

Need for effective waste management

Dustbins are a fundamental fixture in the developed world and in India too, they enhance the cleanliness of many tourist sites. At several well-maintained public places, both within the country and abroad, dustbins serve as vital elements of civic management. Often ornamental and decorative, they dot various public spaces and help keep trash off the roads. Depending on a Municipal Corporation’s vision—and with citizens’ cooperation—frequently placed and regularly emptied dustbins could work wonders in addressing the garbage problem in a city like Jalandhar. The gradual deterioration of the city’s public places and roads began with mismanaged garbage. Trash cans are therefore essential in eliminating this problem. Beyond responsible garbage disposal, the next critical step is effective solid waste management—an area in which Jalandhar is currently lagging behind. These two measures alone, if implemented properly, have the potential to completely transform the city’s civic condition.

Pankaj Sharma

Citizens must act responsibly too

The civic illiteracy of the masses is one of the major roadblocks in implementing successful waste management steps. When it comes to garbage, many residents are lazy, ill-informed, careless and at times even callous. Just to avoid walking a short distance to a designated dumping site, people litter plots and street corners with tonnes of waste. Several designated sites also develop toxic waste runoff or water accumulation, which, over time, poses a serious threat to groundwater contamination. Simple, large-scale segregation of wet and dry waste can help manage garbage more effectively. This process could generate substantial compost piles—essentially ‘gold’ for plant nutrition. However, residents fail to do this and the Municipal Corporation fails to enforce it. Most citizens also make no effort to reduce their carbon footprint. Even where public bins are available, they are either misused or quickly damaged—residents seem to prefer littering the roads. While bins are crucial for maintaining civic cleanliness, people must be educated and trained to behave responsibly. An eyesore of a city could become a haven—if only its citizens are enlightened.

Satyendra Gupta

Smart city funds, yet no dustbins

It is ironic that a Municipal Council for a city like Jalandhar, which receives crores under the Smart City Project, does not have dustbins installed at all public places. The garbage problem in Jalandhar goes beyond just household waste—it includes industrial residue, biomedical waste from hospitals, and tonnes of construction debris from hundreds of active sites and highway projects. Effective and targeted steps must be taken for the proper disposal of these varied types of waste. Only then can Jalandhar truly aspire to earn the title of a “Smart City.”

Kanwaldeep Kaur

Garbage crisis requires urgent action

Garbage has become a persistent and troubling issue that shows no signs of improvement. Despite its seriousness, it continues to be neglected, when in fact, it should be treated as a top priority. The growing piles of waste not only pose environmental and health hazards but also tarnish the image of the city. If left unaddressed, this problem risks becoming a defining and embarrassing characteristic of the area. It reflects poorly on governance and civic responsibility, sending a message of indifference to residents and visitors alike. Authorities must take urgent and effective action by implementing sustainable waste management systems, increasing public awareness, and enforcing stricter regulations. Without immediate intervention, the situation will only deteriorate, making recovery more difficult and costly. Cleanliness should be a shared goal, and it's time the administration treated it as such—with the seriousness and commitment it demands.

Punam Sharma

Cleanliness a basic necessity

Jalandhar is referred to as a Smart City, but one must ask—how smart is it, really? If the authorities are unable to tackle something as basic and visible as garbage management, it raises serious concerns about the city's overall planning and governance. Cleanliness is a fundamental aspect of urban living, and failing to address it undermines the very idea of a “smart” city. A truly smart city prioritises the health, hygiene and well-being of its residents. Until this basic issue is resolved, the title remains more aspirational than a reflection of reality.

Manish Prashar

Authorities must act swiftly

Enter any road or street in Jalandhar and you're likely to be greeted by piles of garbage. What should be a clean and organised urban space instead presents a picture of neglect and poor waste management. Jalandhar, known as a media hub, an industrial centre and a proud sports city, unfortunately, has waste scattered across public areas, unattended and uncollected, creating an eyesore and posing serious health and environmental risks. This not only damages the city's image but also reflects poorly on civic administration and public awareness. For a city striving to be modern and progressive, such a state of affairs is unacceptable. Authorities must act swiftly and consistently to implement proper waste disposal systems, ensure regular collection and promote cleanliness. Jalandhar deserves better.

Deepa Sharma

Strategic placement of dustbins required

For any city to remain clean, proper infrastructure is essential—and that starts with the strategic placement of dustbins. In Jalandhar, the absence of adequately placed dustbins leaves residents with no choice but to dispose of waste in open areas. As a result, open dumps have become a common sight, turning streets and public spaces into eyesores. These unregulated garbage heaps not only spoil the city's appearance but also pose serious health and environmental risks. The problem worsens during rains, when water mixes with the waste, creating foul smells, blocked drains and breeding grounds for disease. This reflects a clear failure in urban planning and civic management. If authorities are serious about addressing this issue, the first step must be to provide accessible dustbins across all localities, followed by timely waste collection and public awareness campaigns. Only then can we hope to see real, lasting improvement in the city's cleanliness.

Param Singh