Will new Jalandhar mayor solve garbage mess?
The announcement of a new mayor may happen anytime now, but it seems that the issue of garbage piling up everywhere is not ending any time soon. Heaps of garbage lying on the roadside are a common sight almost every day.
Starting from Chugitti road, then Ladowali road, Nakodar road and inner areas of congested places like Bhargo Camp, Basti Danishmanda, Gandhi Camps, etc. waste and garbage can be seen lying around. Residents said that it seemed as if they wouild have to live with the problem forever, no matter what. “We don’t understand why such basic things cannot be provided by the civic body. What are we asking for? Is it too much to wish for? The city is a total mess right now and sewerage problem is only worsening the situation,” said Subeg Saini from the city.
To tackle the solid waste, a project under the Smart City Mission was initiated.
Bio-mining is a much touted project worth Rs 34 crore under the Smart City Mission that has suffered several obstacles. The contract given to the previous company handling the project was also terminated by the MC. Now, another company has been entrusted with the task to look after the project.
In 2017, the project was planned to manage and process the waste at the Wariana dump. Instead, heaps of garbage at the Wariana dump has only grown bigger with the passage of time.
At present, eight lakh metric tonnes of waste is lying at the Wariana dump site. The overflowing waste spews toxins into the air. People living in areas near the Wariana dump site are surviving amidst pollution.
The city generates above 450 tonnes of garbage every day. Other small dump sites are also filled to capacity. To tackle the problem, a waste bio-mining project was to be implemented. But things have only turned worse with every passing day and month. Now that a new party is set to lead the Municipal Corporation, time will tell if things will improve or not.
