Sahnewal reels under garbage stink

Lovleen Bains
Doraha, October 23

The Sahnewal Municipal Council (MC) seems to have pledged to remain aloof come what may. The town is literally on the verge of collapse. Reason: A huge heaps of garbage continue to stare the residents in the very face both inside and outside the residential places, and the MC authorities have still not risen from the deep slumber and learn how to act as per the gravity of the situation.

The council has failed to address the immediate problem of the residents which is now resulting in filth, foul smell apart from making them fall a prey to various viral as well as infectious diseases. If such a situation is allowed to prevail, it is believed that not even a single home in the town shall passed unharmed as far as the attack of dengue and related ailments is concerned.

"Can you imagine that no sweeper arrived to pick up our garbage for the past three days? We are residing in filth and foul smell where even a single whiff of fresh air cannot be felt throughout the day as well as night," rued a resident of ward no. 11 of the town where residents have lodged complaints multiple number of times to executive officer of the Sahnewal MC Vikram Kumar as well as sanitary inspector Jasvir Singh, but to no avail.

"The dumps near railway flyover and railway road have not only become an eye sore, but are a symbol of mockery and scorn for the council which has thrown all norms and scruples to winds. The residents rue that these permanent heaps are fixed at places which may be called the main spots of the town. These heaps create a messy situation. It seems that the issue of cleanliness has taken a back seat in this town as no authority is seriously bothered to ensure cleanliness. Timely lifting is just a momentary relief and that too when the issue is raised through the media," shared a senior citizen of the town.

"MC employees lift the garbage as per their convenience and comfort. Moreover, nobody bothers to lift it on Sundays since no employee turns up on a holiday. The situation becomes worse when a Monday is added to it. Lifting of garbage in Sahnewal, it seems, depends entirely on the whims and fancies of the garbage lifters. Each home has to pay Rs 30-50 per month, even then the lifting is not being regularised. The homes and the town simply reel under the obnoxious smell of garbage and the mess created by stray animals, which bring all sorts of unwanted filthy material to your doorstep, and worsen the situation all the more," complained a social worker of the town.

President of the Municipal Council Sukhjit Singh Hara said he would check with the executive officer and the sanitary inspector. SDM Amarjit Bains said, "I will surely look into the matter and do the needful at the earliest."