Jalandhar stinks in post-Diwali waste surge

Following Diwali celebrations, Jalandhar has witnessed a sharp spike in waste generation, with hundreds of tonnes of garbage accumulating at various collection points across the city.

While Municipal Corporation (MC) officials estimate the average daily waste generation at 500 metric tonnes, this figure surged to 700–800 metric tonnes during Diwali due to increased consumption and festivities.

In addition to this, due to three-day holiday, including two Diwali days followed by Vishwakarma Day on Wednesday, wastes haven’t been picked from most of the sites with most staff being on leave.

The officials said the process will resume on Thursday, post Vishwakarma Day festivities.

However, residents and experts question the MC’s daily waste estimate, suggesting the actual figure may be significantly higher. At the Wariana Dump, a long-standing garbage mountain has accumulated 15–16 lakh metric tonnes of waste over decades. Locals claim the actual volume could exceed 30 lakh metric tonnes, citing the toxic runoff and hazardous residue that continue to pose environmental and health risks.

From time to time, various huge dumps in Jalandhar have triggered complaints in courts and with the NGT. Complaints regarding the Urban Estate, Phase II, dump and the Wariana site remain pending with the Permanent Lok Adalat and the NGT.

Huge garbage dumps, which inconvenience residents, include Urban Estate, Phase II, random sites and plots near Nakodar Road, Gurnanakpura, Qazi Mandi, near BMC Chowk, Fish Market.

The Urban Estate, Phase II, a posh locality with dozens of hotels, is troubled by a huge dump. In half an hour, this correspondent witnessed 15 to 20 vehicles and e-rickshaws dumping unsegregated wastes at the site - from Jyoti Nagar, Gill Colony, Bank Colony, Model Town, Abadpura among other areas.

A case against the garbage dump was filed by Jalandhar advocate JP Singh at the Permanent Lok Adalat, following which the Jalandhar Municipal Corporation, represented by Health Officer Dr Shri Krishan, clarified that the site is a temporary transfer station, not a permanent dumping ground. The MC assured that all waste from the site is transported daily to the Wariana Dump Site.

Restaurant owners Inderjot Singh and petrol station owner Karanbir Singh said, “The garbage dump is a huge menace for our customers who are put off by the constant stench. There has been a major fire which poses a huge danger to petrol station. Proximity of the dump to so many eateries and a petrol station is detrimental for business and safety. It should be shifted elsewhere.”

Jalandhar Mayor Vaneet Dhir said, “Jalandhar generates wastes of 500 metric tonne per day which on Diwali rises to 700 to 800 metric tonne. Due to the weekend and two-day Diwali festivities, the waste pick up will continue as scheduled. Of the wastes at the Wariana Dump, bio-mining process had been started since May (which stalled in June to August) and has resumed again. About 60,000 MT of waste has already been processed. Tenders are through for processing 8 lakh MT waste after which 8 lakh MT more will be processed. The segregation of wastes will also soon be started in Jalandhar for which the process is on.”

Assistant Health Officer, MC, Jalandhar, Shri Krishna said, “There are 16 or 17 permanent waste collection points in Jalandhar. Waste from many points from the city has been removed after complaints. In the city, only one point at Basti Gujan is currently operational. No one wants collection points near their areas. But garbage has to be lifted from somewhere. Within a week, PO machines are also being introduced in the MC to challan those illegally dumping wastes. The segregation system is also being streamlined, although people themselves are generally reluctant to carry out segregation and create compost and oppose us if we start challaning.”

Kapurthala too plagued

Unplanned development and government apathy has also plagued the erstwhile princely state of Kapurthala, with garbage woes. While efforts have been made to remove the waste at the local level, garbage sites near Sat Narayan Mandir, near BPEO office on the Amritsar Road, near the Shalimar Bagh, near the Old Courts, etc, still a nuisance for residents. Locals said drives to pick garbage are carried out are a temporary affair.

Garbage stats -

Daily garbage generation – 500 to 600 MT

Daily garbage generation during Diwali – 700 to 800 MT

Legacy waste at Wariana Dump site – 16 lakh MT (as per CM)

Designated MC garbage collection points – 17

Garbage processed under bio-mining project – 60,000 MT (as per MC)

Safai Sewaks - 1,600-1,700

Rag pickers – over 700

Vehicle drivers - over 100

Vehicles (JCBs, e-rickshaws, pick-ups) – around 100

Wards - 85

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Segregation will start soon

“Jalandhar generates waste of 500 metric tonne per day which on Diwali rises to 700 to 800 metric tonne. Due to the weekend and two-day Diwali festivities, the waste pick up will continue as scheduled. Of the wastes at the Wariana Dump, bio-mining process had been started since May (which stalled in June to August) and has resumed again. About 60,000 MT of waste has already been processed. Tenders are through for processing 8 lakh MT waste after which 8 lakh MT more will be processed. The segregation of wastes will also soon be started in Jalandhar for which the process is on. Vaneet Dhir, Jalandhar Mayor ,