Jalandhar: Only 53 challans in 8 months for dumping garbage on roads

Tribune News Service

Avneet Kaur

Jalandhar, June 18

Even though the officials of the health branch of the Municipal Corporation (MC) claim that they have been issuing challans on a regular basis to shopkeepers, traders, roadside vendors and residents for throwing garbage on roads, the data collected from MC revealed that only 53 challans have been issued in the last eight months (from September 2021 to June 16).

As far as challans related to using banned polythene bags were concerned, the MC had issued a total of 111 challans. These challans were issued between October 2021 and June 16.

Talking to Jalandhar Tribune, Kamaljeet Bhatia, former Senior Deputy Mayor, said: “It seems that the health wing has either surrendered to violators or fines are being imposed under the table that’s why only 53 challans are there in the record book. In the past, about 100 to 150 challans were issued for littering roads and other such violations on a same day during special drives, but nothing of that sort is happening now,” he said.

He said the road leading to Patel Chowk and Ramgarhia colony, roads near TV Tower, Devi Talab Mandir, Qazi Mohalla, Model Town cremation ground, Ladowali Road and Chuggiti Chowk among other places are entirely covered with garbage.

“Besides, in many markets such as Bhairon Bazaar, Saidan Gate, Bartan Bazaar etc. there was no provision of dustbins. Whenever it rains, garbage scattered on roads gets mixed with rainwater and become a nuisance for residents and shopkeepers,” he said.

Bhatia said: “The officials concerned must make sure that those throwing garbage on roads are taught a lesson and litter is removed timely from dumping sites as this has become a major reason for the spread of diseases, especially during the rainy season. Also, there is a need to raise awareness among the public.”

Anil Kumar, a roadside vendor on Jyoti Chowk, said: “MC teams often fine us for encroachment, for throwing garbage on roadside and for using polythene bags, but they never impose any fine on big shopkeepers or traders. We have requested them to provide us with an alternative of polythene, as we cannot buy expensive carry bags, but they hardly pay any heed,” he said.

“Throwing wrappers of whatever is consumed in cars is a common habit. In residential localities, too, people can be spotted throwing garbage outside their houses on the roads. The government should set up an agency to monitor and punish those who violate rules. The corporation should also fix places in localities and in markets, where garbage could be thrown and later on collected by MC vans. Besides, residents must lend support and assist authorities in solving the problem of garbage,” said Geeta Parsar, a resident of 120ft road.

Chief Sanitary Inspector Hitesh Aggarwal said the health wing was taking all measures required to solve the garbage problem in the city. When asked whether any special drives and surprise checks were held in the recent past to check littering of roads, he replied that it’s a common practice and sanitary inspectors spend their entire day in the field to check such violations.

Mayor Jagdish Raja said the MC has no intention to generate revenue by imposing fines and their only focus was to raise awareness among residents, therefore not many challans were issued.

“I will check with the health department what initiatives have been taken by them and if they have conducted any special drives in the past,” he said.

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