Mayor’s promise falls flat on garbage front

Despite Mayor Vaneet Dhir’s tall claims of prioritising civic issues after assuming office nearly two months ago, the city continues to grapple with mounting garbage heaps and deteriorating sanitation. Far from any visible improvement, prominent locations like Police Lines, PUDA Complex and the boundary walls of the district administration office remain engulfed in filth, exposing the glaring gap between promises and reality.

In a striking irony, a small board outside Police Lines reads “Throwing garbage is prohibited here”, yet the spot lies buried under heaps of waste — right under the police's nose. Just a few metre ahead, another garbage dump thrives along the Police Lines boundary wall and on the road, leading to the Indo-Canadian bus stand, with mounds of trash piling up unchecked.

"If even the police’s warning is openly flouted, what can we expect from other parts of the city?" asked a commuter. "Garbage dumps, broken roads and choked sewers have become the face of the city, but the authorities don't care."

The PUDA Complex, home to several media offices, banks, finance companies and eateries, presents a grim picture. Vacant plots across the complex have been turned into garbage dumping grounds, with the area reeking of neglect.

"We’ve made countless complaints to both PUDA and the Municipal Corporation, but the two departments keep shrugging off responsibility," said an employee at the complex. "What’s worse is that waste collectors themselves unload garbage carts here, turning the vacant plots into permanent dumps. Yet, no one takes action."

The civic apathy has left residents exasperated, with the city sinking deeper into filth each passing day. "Everywhere you go, it’s just garbage dumps and clogged drains. Politicians come, make big promises and disappear. Nobody is ready to bring a real change," said Kamani Gupta, a local resident.

Meanwhile, Mayor Dhir remained unavailable for comment, with his family informing that he was out of station.