Rains turn stretch on Tajpur Road into slush

Garbage collection in Ludhiana faced significant disruption on Saturday due to the impassable road leading to the dump on Tajpur Road. It is learnt that heavy rains turned the road into a muddy, leachate-filled quagmire, making it impossible for garbage-collection vehicles to r

each the main dumping site.

As per the information received, poor road conditions severely impacted garbage collection from approximately 22 compactor sites across the city. Garbage collectors, arriving with their loads from various localities, were forced to wait for extended periods outside the compactors. Frustrated by the situation, some rehriwalas collecting garbage resorted to dumping their refuse-filled carts (rehris) directly onto the road outside the compactor sites, while others simply parked their vehicles, blocking traffic.

The issue is a familiar one, recurring almost annually. In the past, garbage would accumulate at scattered secondary collection points. Now, with the installation of compactors that efficiently compress waste before transport to Tajpur Road, the problem has shifted to the main access route.

Officials explained that the problem is twofold: A private firm’s bio-remediation project on one side of the dump restricts truck access, while the other side becomes bogged down with mud, trapping vehicles. The situation which began on Friday, escalated by Saturday, to completely halt waste removal.

A senior MC official requesting anonymity, said that despite repeated requests to higher authorities for building a proper road, the situation remains largely unchanged. The officials, instead of finding a solution, are indulging in blame game.

However, MC Commissioner Aaditya Dachalwal stated that efforts were underway to resolve the issue, assuring the public that garbage collection would resume soon.