Polythene clogs drains, flood threat looms large

Tribune News Service

Jammu, June 12

The decade-long ban on polythene carry bags in the state has not been effective. They continue to choke drains in Jammu city, creating a problem during rains.

There have been no serious efforts to replace polythene as a packaging material.

In fact, polythene carry bags are still being used under the garb of recycled or bio-degradable bags. Most of the solid waste dumped in drains comprises polythene.

Not only residential colonies, but commercial establishments are also dumping polythene waste in public places and drains, leading to overflowing of sewage in several localities.

“Ahead of monsoon, the Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC) has started cleaning of drains across the city but it is proving to be a challenge as plastic and polythene waste has clogged the sewerage lines,” said a senior municipal sanitation officer.

At several places, the Jammu Municipal Corporation is using heavy-duty JCBs to clean the clogged drains. The drains, however, get filled up again with polythene waste within days.

Several localities usually get flooded with sewage water as the drains are clogged.

Municipal Health Officer Saleem Khan said they would try to clean all major drains before the arrival of monsoon. “We are making efforts to clean the big drains so that during the rainy season, they don’t get flooded. There is a need for scientific measures to deal with plastic waste,” Khan said.

The areas worst hit during rain include Digiana, Talab Tillo, Canal Road, Gujjar Nagar, Channi Himmat, Subash Nagar, Rajiv Nagar and Trikuta Nagar. Several residential colonies in these areas have been established close to water channels, which now carrying sewage of the city.