Phagwara grapples with post-Diwali waste surge

In the aftermath of the Diwali celebrations, Phagwara has witnessed an unprecedented spike in waste accumulation, leaving municipal workers racing against time to restore cleanliness across the city. Municipal Corporation (MC) estimates that the city’s daily waste generation, which usually hovers around 31 metric tonnes, soared to nearly 40 metric tonnes during the festive week — driven by the increased consumer activity, packaging waste and heightened festive consumption.

Municipal officials attributed the sudden rise in garbage piles to the three-day holiday period encompassing the two main Diwali days and Vishwakarma Day. With a large section of sanitation staff on leave, collection services were temporarily suspended, causing waste to accumulate at several collection sites. Clearance operations resumed on Thursday, with the corporation deploying additional manpower and extending working hours to bring the situation under control.

Phagwara currently has eight designated garbage collection points, yet several unplanned dumping sites have emerged in both residential and commercial areas. Prominent collection zones include Urban Estate main road, plots near the Post Office, Hoshiarpur Road, and Nakodar Road. At the Urban Estate site — one of the largest within city limits — continuous dumping of mixed, unsegregated waste was observed as 15 to 20 vehicles and e-rickshaws unloaded garbage within a span of half an hour.

However, the city’s legacy waste dump at Bhogpur village remains the most pressing environmental challenge. The site has accumulated an estimated 8–10 lakh metric tonnes of waste over the years, though residents claim the figure could be significantly higher, exceeding 15 lakh MT. The unscientific dumping practices have led to the release of foul odours, persistent smoke, and toxic leachate that reportedly seeps into nearby agricultural fields, contaminating groundwater and posing serious health hazards.

Phagwara Municipal Commissioner Dr Akshita Gupta, said intensive post-Diwali waste clearance operations were underway across the city.

Dr Gupta said, “Phagwara generates about 31 metric tonnes of waste daily, which rose to 35–40 MT during Diwali. Due to the weekend and festive holidays, waste collection was delayed, but it has now resumed in full swing. The bio-remediation process at the Bhogpur dump, which began in May, was briefly halted during the monsoon but has now resumed. Most of the legacy waste has already been processed and tenders for further remediation of around 8 lakh MT are finalised. Advanced segregation at source will soon be implemented under the integrated waste management plan,” she added.

Waste management crisis in Nawanshahr

Nawanshahr’s ongoing waste management crisis is in news since long as residents have been protesting against the huge dump along the Musapur road. Approximately 11 metric tonne of garbage waste is generated in the city on a daily basis. Residents say the dump site has become a major source of pollution, demanding its relocation outside the city limits.

“It often catches fire and emits an unbearable stench,” rued Gurbachan Singh, a resident. Locals also complained that garbage heaps are regularly seen along Saloh road and Banga road, where uncollected waste piles up, giving the city an unkempt and unpleasant appearance.

Before the start of the festive season, a strike by safai karamcharis further worsened the situation, leaving various areas littered. Executive Officer of the Municipal Council Munish Kumar stated that garbage was being lifted from secondary collection points regularly and assured that any existing problems would be addressed promptly. However, several councillors have acknowledged that the city’s waste management system remains inadequate. “The dump at the Moosapur road smells unbearable,” said Councillor Param Singh Khalsa from Ward No. 4.

Frustrated by the inaction, residents from Navi Abadi, Triveni Mohalla, Sant Nagar, Begumpura and surrounding areas have united under the leadership of senior Councillor Chet Ram Rattan from Ward No. 17. They plan to submit a memorandum to the Deputy Commissioner of Nawanshar on October 27, demanding a permanent solution to the garbage dumping and sewage problems within seven days.

“If the administration fails to act, residents will block garbage dumping site starting from November 2,” warned Rattan, following a series of street meetings with residents. AAP halqa in-charge Lalit Mohan Pathak have assured that the matter will be resolved soon.

Box-- 305 safai sewaks in Phagwara

Phagwara’s sanitation force currently comprises 305 safai sewaks — 171 permanent and 134 outsourced — supported by 87 vehicles, including JCBs, e-rickshaws, and pick-ups. Informal waste pickers are also being identified and included under a formal recognition and inclusion drive to ensure their participation in sustainable waste management efforts

Contributed by Ashok Kaura, Aakanksha Bhardwaj and Sanjeev Bakshi