Garbage mgmt uphill task in Malerkotla

Solid waste management remains an uphill task and the biggest impediment in the implementation of the Swachh Bharat Mission in the localities falling under all three divisions of Malerkotla district.

While it is imperative for all urban local bodies to collect segregated garbage from all domestic units daily, people are living with the stink emanating from the garbage not lifted for days together.

Acknowledging that inadequate infrastructure and unavailability of proper space for final dumping and disposal of garbage as major factors behind the situation, the chiefs of municipal councils at Malerkotla, Amargarh and Ahmedgarh claimed to have roped in members of safai karamchari outfits to deal with the situation.

“Though we are trying to resolve issues related with garbage dumps and inadequate paraphernalia, we are also motivating sweepers to understand that they were the real frontline warriors to upgrade the image of functioning of the municipal council,” said president, Municipal Council, Ahmedgarh, Vikas Krishan Sharma. He appreciated that almost all members of the sanitation department were working overtime on holidays to clear the heaps of garbage, which had mushroomed during the past few days.

Earlier, some municipal councilors, owing allegiance to opposition parties, had threatened to launch an agitation over the living conditions of residents here, besides no provision of other basic amenities by the municipal councils of the district.

Failure to implement guidelines regarding single-use plastics, inadequate space for dumping garbage and lack of infrastructure for segregation and lifting of solid waste were cited as major factors for the grave situation of sanitation in the region.

Residents regretted that the authorities had also failed to make use of facilities available under the Swachh Bharat Mission. “Though officials had been organising workshops and seminars to sensitise residents on the need of preventing contamination of the environment with non-biodegradable materials, including single-use plastic, prohibited plastics were still being used with impunity,” said residents, urging the authorities to ensure that guidelines on segregation of wastes were implemented in letter and spirit.

Leaders of Safai Mazdoor Unions said they would extend help to support the administration’s endeavour to keep the region clean and hygienic. “But at the same time we urge that the required safety guards and infrastructure for segregation and disposal of the garbage too are provided,” said Chaman Lal Dulla, president, Safai Mazdoor Union.