Poor waste management puts Sangrur residents at health risk as garbage set afire

Improper garbage disposal and frequent fires at dumping sites have become a major concern for residents of Sangrur district, raising serious health and environmental issues.

Piles of unsegregated waste can be seen lying in open areas, including outside War Memorial Stadium and the Civil Hospital.

Residents claimed that despite repeated complaints to the municipal authorities, garbage was not being lifted regularly, forcing them to bear with foul smell and smoke.

Of late, residents have reported several incidents of burning garbage, causing air pollution and breathing difficulties among elderly citizens and those with respiratory problems. “Every few days, someone sets waste on fire and the entire area gets covered in smoke. It’s difficult to keep the windows open,” said Gurpreet Kaur, who lives near the stadium. “We have been complaining about it to the authorities, but to no avail,” she added.

Environmental activist Roshan Garg said fires released toxic gases like carbon monoxide and dioxins, adding that the situation worsened during the winter months when stagnant air trapped the smoke near the ground.

Municipal Council officials, however, claim that they were working towards finding a solution to the problem. “We are aware of the issue and have instructed sanitation workers to increase the waste collection frequency. Plans are also being made to establish a proper waste segregation and composting facility,” said a councillor.

MC president Bhupinder Singh said garbage was being collected door to door and lifted from dumping sites as well. “It has come to our notice that some vendors or shopkeeper burn the garbage in the town. The issue will be resolved as we are planning to engage a private firm for disposal of waste,” he added.

Former minister and ex-Sangrur MLA Vijay Inder Singla said it was a sad state of affairs. He claimed that there was no proper door-to-door waste collection or segregation. Garbage lying at dumping sites also caused diseases, he said.

Residents demanded strict monitoring and imposing penalties on those found burning waste in public places.