Vacant plot worth crores in Barnala being used as garbage dumping site
A tract of land, having commercial value worth crores, in the grain market here is lying neglected and has been turned into a garbage-dumping and cowdung cake-making site. Heaps of garbage are a common sight on both sides of the road in the area.
A tract of land, having commercial value worth crores, in the grain market here is lying neglected and has been turned into a garbage-dumping and cowdung cake-making site. Heaps of garbage are a common sight on both sides of the road in the area.
The arterial road connects the bus stand to Rambagh road, KC road, SSP office, DTO office and vegetable market.
However, things are set to go from bad to worse here during the upcoming monsoon season, being a low-lying area.
As there is no grass-cutting and pruning of shrubs, the accumulation of rainwater in this low-lying area would turn into a breeding ground for mosquitoes.
Civil surgeon Dr Renu said, "We cannot do anything directly in the matter. We can only write to the municipal council for proper sanitation in the area to prevent vector-borne diseases. We have written to the MC earlier, we will write them again."
Offices of the executive engineer of the district mandi board and Shishu vatika school are situated adjoining the site.
The grain market was planned and developed in the new Mandi township. Shops continued to be sold through auctions. The first auction was held in 1972 and the last one a few months ago, but none of the authorities took any steps to keep the area neat and clean.
The municipal council also used this area to dump its garbage. Though the MC stopped this practice about two months ago, yet it did not take any steps to clear the garbage.
Farmers visiting the grain market for selling crops or buying pesticides etc have no place to sit or relax here as the Kisan Rest House has been occupied by the market committee for its office.
An arhtiya Sohan Kansal said, "The area should be developed as a park, where the public can jog and have a feel of nature. Farmers can relax under trees. It needs an initiative and would not cost much."
A resident of adjoining 16 Acre Colony, Kamal Gupta Babbu, said, "We live in a posh colony, but are surrounded by heaps of garbage scattered here and there. The stench, emanating from the site, is just unbearable and poses a great health hazard. It is strange that health authorities are not doing anything."
Citing confusion over the jurisdiction of the vacant area, district mandi officer (DMO) Ram Singh said, "I am not sure whether the area comes under the Mandi Board. Even if it does, we can only get it cleaned if the area is demarcated for carrying out some activity or selling things."
"The toilet block is got cleaned at the time of crop season. The rest of the time, it remains locked," said Singh.
* Citizens Speak:
"Perhaps, health authorities are waiting for the outbreak of some epidemic to swing into action and take corrective measures. The area must be cleaned on priority."
Kamal Gupta Babbu, resident
The area should be developed as a park, where public can jog and enjoy nature and farmers can sit and relax in the shade of trees. It needs only an initiative and will not cost much
Sohan Kansal, arhtiya
* Officer Speak
I am not sure whether the area comes under the Mandi Board. Even if it does, we can only get it cleaned if the area is demarcated for carrying out some activity or selling things."
Ram Singh, district mandi officer
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