Garbage dumps in Walled City lanes despite JMC claims

Jaipur: Even as Jaipur Municipal Corporation (JMC) claims it is maintaining sanitation and beautification in the Walled City to protect the city's UNESCO World Heritage status, the ground reality in several inner lanes tells a different story. While the main roads appear clean after Holi, residents say garbage has remained uncollected in many inner lanes. In a lane near Khazane Walon Ka Rasta, a pile of waste lay outside a sweet shop for the past four days. Local artisan Ramswaroop, who runs a small idol-making shop nearby, said the problem is not limited to the festive period.
"This heap has been here for four days and it keeps growing. Even on normal days, the garbage hopper comes only once in two or three days. Sometimes it passes by without picking up the waste," he said. A similar situation was seen at Tikki Walon Ka Rasta, where garbage dumped at a corner began to block the narrow lane. Residents said the foul smell made it difficult to even walk through the area. Local resident Raza Khan said the garbage hopper often arrives briefly and leaves after sounding its horn. "If you reach the crossing in time, your waste is taken. Otherwise, it stays here for days. This pile has been lying here for nearly five days and the smell is unbearable," he said. Conditions are also poor in parts of Indira Bazar and Baba Harishchandra Marg, where both wet and dry waste can be seen rotting along the roadside. Shopkeepers say the stench is driving customers away and forcing many to cover their noses while passing through the market. Recently, after sanitation lapses during Holi came to light, JMC commissioner Gaurav Saini issued 17 CCA chargesheets to more than 25 sanitation workers across eight zones. However, residents said the situation on the ground did not improve much. Responding to the complaints, Saini said JMC has begun stricter monitoring. "Garbage hoppers are now operating almost daily. Due to two-day Holi holiday, waste might have piled up in some areas. From tomorrow (Friday), officers will accompany the vehicles to ensure regular monitoring of the work," Saini said.