Open garbage burning chokes city, activists raise alarm

Days after the Diwali celebrations lit up Ludhiana, the city is now grappling with a darker aftermath — piles of garbage being openly burnt across various localities, triggering serious environmental and health concerns. On Friday, thick plumes of smoke rose from the rear side of the compactor site adjoining the Lakkar Bridge flyover, where tonnes of garbage is lying in the open.

The site, already burdened with unsegregated garbage, including plastic wrappers, food waste and discarded packaging, became a hotspot for open burning — a practice banned under the pollution control norms. Residents in nearby areas reported breathing discomfort and a sharp stench lingering in the air.

“I stepped out for a morning walk and felt my throat burning within minutes,” said Harpreet Kaur, a resident of the adjoining colony.

“We celebrate Diwali with lights and joy but this smoke dims everything for the few days after the festival,” she said.

While the Municipal Corporation had deployed compactors, extra sanitation teams and machinery for the post-Diwali clean-up, the sheer volume of waste appears to have overwhelmed the system. Instead of proper disposal or segregation, garbage is being dumped in open plots and, in some cases, burnt to reduce volume.

Environmental activists have raised the alarm over the unchecked practice. “Burning mixed waste releases toxic gases such as dioxins and furans, which are harmful to human health,” said Dr Ramesh Bagga, a retired science professor.

“It’s a public health hazard, not just a nuisance,” he said.

Local residents also pointed to the lack of accountability and monitoring. “There’s no one to stop the menace,” said Rajinder Singh, a shopkeeper from the Civil Lines area.

“The garbage keeps piling up and someone just lights a match. It has become a routine,” he said.

Despite repeated advisories from the Punjab Pollution Control Board and civic bodies, enforcement remains weak. With winter approaching and air quality already dipping, such incidents could further aggravate respiratory issues, especially among children and the elderly.

As Ludhiana recovers from its festive fervour, residents are calling for more than just cleanup. They want accountability, sustainable waste management and an end to practices that turn celebrations into contamination.