Foul smell from the landfill at Dadumajra gives the residents of Ward No. 25 a tough time, especially when it rains. The careless attitude of door-to-door garbage collectors, especially when it comes to lifting the domestic waste from upper floor, and poor sanitation in general is also adding to their woes.
The ward comprises Sectors 37 and 38, which are situated in the landfill’s close vicinity.
“One of the major issues, which we have been facing for years, is the dumping ground at Dadumajra. There is a mountain of garbage, because of which residents of neighbouring sectors have to suffer a lot,” says Major DP Singh, chief adviser to resident welfare association, Sector 38-A and B.
Major Singh says that the stench becomes unbearable during the rainy season, or when the landfill catches fire, which happens quite often. It is also leading to major health issues, he says.
The residents also complain of irregular garbage collection, especially from second and third floors.
“The sanitation workers collect money from all three floors separately, but they don’t go to every floor to collect waste. I understand that it gets difficult for a worker to climb so many stairs, but they can be considerate in some cases, such as elderly people or working professionals who are not at home,” says Major Singh.
Poor sanitation, in general, is also a major irritant.
{{/usCountry}}Poor sanitation, in general, is also a major irritant.
{{/usCountry}}Shashi Sharma, a trader who lives in Sector 37, says: “Cleanliness is the least priority of MC officials. In the market area, garbage can be seen spilling out of the bins, leading to foul smell and unhygienic conditions.”
Sharma also complains of irregular water supply, a sentiment echoed by Nirmal Singh, a resident of Sector 38D.
“Four years ago, we were promised 24-hour fresh water supply, but things haven’t improved. Forget about 24-hour supply, we don’t even get water on top floors during summers,” says Singh.
Singh also complains of uneven cycle tracks and pedestrian paths. “Challans are issued if someone parks a vehicle on a cycle track, but are these tracks worth cycling? The tracks are uneven, and at times, garbage is dumped on them,” says the resident.
BJP councillor Arun Sood, who represents the area, says: “The problem of dumping ground arose due to poor decisions of the previous Congress government. We are trying our best to sort it out. By next year, garbage processing plant will become operational and the problem will be resolved.”
Regarding door-to-door collectors, he says: “The MoU states that they have to collect garbage from every floor. Still, they are being reluctant and are creating issues. Whenever we get complaints, we make sure the sanitary inspector is informed and waste is collected from each floor.”
According to Sood, estimates for repairing cycle tracks have also been passed and the work will begin soon.
KNOW YOUR WARD
Localities: Sector 37 and Sector 38
General Ward
Voters: 21,000
Key issues
Dadumajra landfill in vicinity raising stink, leading to health issues
Poor garbage collection and sanitation
Uneven cycle tracks and pedestrian paths
Local voices
Foul smell from the dumping ground is a major issue. Every councillor makes promises to resolve it, but no one has done anything so far.
Major DP Singh, RWA chief adviser, Sector 38
People throw garbage outside the park, which is very annoying. Another issue is that of speeding vehicles on internal roads.
VK Bhardwaj, a retired government employee, Sector 38A
The officials issue challans without checking whether the dry and wet garbage is mixed by residents from the first floor or second floor.
Satish Seth, a retired government employee, Sector 38D
Cleanliness is the least priority of officials. In Sector-37 market, garbage is always spilling out of bins, leading to foul smell and unhygienic conditions.
Shashi Sharma, a shopkeeper, Sector 37