Garbage raises a stink this monsoon

AURANGABAD: Residents staying in City Chowk are having a tough time dealing with the infrastructure issues ailing the city. They have expressed fears of a possible outbreak of infectious diseases due to poor disposal of garbage in the area, especially in front of one of the oldest schools – Burhani School for the past few days. People have alleged apathy of the civic body in this regard.The garbage issue coupled with the recurrent rain is pushing up worry levels among the citizens.
A spot check in the area revealed that the area is littered with piles of garbage threatening an outbreak of infectious diseases. People have expressed concern over the safety of children, saying they risk contracting diseases due to poor hygiene in the area.
With around 4 to 5 tonne of garbage collected from the surrounding areas and dumped in City Chowk near the Burhani National English and Urdu school and also near the City Chowk police station, the people staying nearby could well be susceptible to an epidemic outbreak. The onset of monsoon is further adding to the woes.
The inability of the authorities to put in place an effective waste management system is a matter of concern for residents as well as shopkeepers in the area. “The area is a popular shopping centre of the city. Moreover, many offices, schools and houses are located in the area,” said Zoyab Yeolawala, member of the Aurangabad Jilla Vyapari Mahasangh.
He said, “Due to the rain, the sight and smell has become unbearable to the extent that the residents and shopkeepers fear of an epidemic out-break.”
“Despite reminders, the place has not been cleaned. Rather more filth and dirt is being added every now and then and garbage bins overflow littering the filth on to the roads,” rued principal of the Burhani Urdu school, Ateequ Atser.
She complained that garbage is allowed to accumulate and then only cleared temporarily. “The heaps are not only a blot on the town but can also complicate the health and sanitation problems of the residents, especially children,” she said.
“Rains have added to the woes. The issue needs to be attended to at the earliest but the authorities show the least concern. This has proved to be a congenial breeding ground for mosquitoes and other flies. With over 1,700 students studying in the school, the garbage bin nearby is posing a health hazard to the children. In fact, many a time the school staff and the children have cleared the place and spread awareness among the residents not to litter and adopt segregation by launching door-to-door campaign,” she said.
“Despite repeated pleas to shift the garbage depot from the site, the civic administration is turning a deaf ear to the pleas of the residents,” she said, adding that the school administration has to face the wrath of parents over the garbage issue. “The condition on Saturdays and Sundays get worse as they remain uncleared by the civic body due to it being a holiday,” she added.
“The foul smell from the garbage dump has made lives of people a virtual hell. Despite repeated reminders to the AMC officials about the issue, nothing has been done so far,” said a shopkeeper.
Agreeing with the situation, the AMC solid waste management manager Dilip Suryavanshi said that the department is not able to find an alternate dumping site for the daily dumping of garbage.
He said, “Along with City Chowk, two more sites in Gulmandi and Paithan Gate are facing a similar situation. The civic body is looking out for an alternate site and trying to address the issue.”
He also agreed that the situation sometimes gets worse due to lack of infrastructure. “The vehicles deployed to lift the garbage have become old and when they break down the garbage remains unlifted, posing a health threat,” he said, adding that the department is also mulling fixing a big garbage bin of around 6-tonne capacity so that the garbage does not spill on to the roads and raise a stink.