Garbage dumped at Zirakpur’s Patiala Chowk amid sanitation workers’ strike, raises environmental concerns

Striking sanitation workers dump garbage on public locations in ZirakpurGarbage dumped at Zirakpur’s Patiala Chowk amid sanitation workers’ strike, raises environmental concernsMohali: Zirakpur witnessed massive garbage dumping at key public locations on Wednesday as protesting sanitation workers intensified their strike by littering waste across the town, triggering serious environmental and public health concerns.In a major protest, sanitation workers allegedly dumped tractor-trolley loads of garbage in the middle of the busy Patiala Chowk and outside the municipal council (MC) office in Zirakpur.The heaps of waste at prominent locations caused inconvenience to commuters and residents while posing a potential health hazard.The residents expressed concern over the deteriorating sanitation conditions in the area, alleging that the protest was causing environmental pollution in open defiance of cleanliness norms and directions issued by the National Green Tribunal (NGT).Traffic movement at Patiala Chowk, one of the town’s busiest intersections, was also affected by the garbage dumped on the road. The situation sparked outrage among locals, who demanded immediate intervention by the civic authorities to clear the waste and restore normalcy.The sanitation workers are reportedly on strike over their pending demands. However, dumping garbage at public places has drawn criticism from the residents and the commuters alike.When the civic body team came to clear the garbage dump, they faced resistance at the hands of the agitating sanitation workers, who stalled the exercise and did not allow the team to lift the garbage.The sanitation workers have been demanding enhancement in salaries and regularisation of their services.