Residents choke as trash goes up in smoke

Lucknow: Burning garbage in the open continues in several parts of the city despite prohibition by Lucknow Municipal Corporation under Solid Waste Management Rules.In a TOI reality check of over a dozen localities, including Indiranagar, Gomtinagar, Takrohi, parts of Mahanagar, the Pakka Pul stretch, the road near Integral University, Khadra, Chowk and Kaiserbagh, piles of mixed waste, including plastic and dry leaves, were found being set on fire in the open, especially during early morning and late evening hours.Residents of these areas reported irregular garbage lifting, foul smell and thick smoke, making it difficult to breathe and posing risk for children, elderly people and animals. Many said complaints to authorities yielded no result.In Shantinagar Colony in Takrohi, garbage was found burning near Duda Colony. Residents said garbage was set on fire regularly, with smoke entering nearby houses. Resident Sumit Singh said smoke spread in the morning and evening and added that repeated lodging of complaints failed deliver a permanent solution.Similar complaints were reported from Mahanagar and Vibhutikhand (Gomtinagar), where residents said roadside waste and accumulated garbage heaps were burned frequently, particularly in open plots and near secondary collection points. One resident said burning often took place in the evening and smoke lingered for hours, making it difficult to keep windows open or to step outside.Near Mohan Meakin and Pakka Pul, a large heap of garbage caught fire, triggering panic in the area. Thick plumes of smoke spread over a wide distance, causing inconvenience to passersby and local residents, who said such incidents were common wherever waste was not cleared for long periods.Burning of garbage was also reported along a road near Integral University, where waste was often set on fire to reduce its volume. Thick smoke frequently spread across the road and a sharp, toxic smell lingered for hours. Stray cattle were often seen feeding near the garbage heaps, posing risk to stray animals."We feel suffocated when garbage burns and if stuck in a traffic jam, our eyes burn and breathing becomes difficult and we have to cover our faces," said a student who commutes daily on the route to his home near Burlington crossing. Vendors in the area said the practice was recurring and smoke affected their work.At Kaiserbagh Bus Station, burning of garbage near the entrance causes inconvenience to morning walkers, passengers and shopkeepers. Thick smoke spread across the area, forcing commuters waiting for buses to cover their faces."We come here for fresh air every morning, but smoke from burning garbage makes it difficult to breathe," said Suresh Verma, a morning walker. Anita Sharma said pollution was ruining environment and authorities should ensure proper cleaning.Additional Municipal Commissioner Lalit Kumar said, "Garbage burning is not permitted and regular drives are conducted to prevent such practices. In some cases, local dumping and burning happen due to irregular disposal by residents, and we are strengthening monitoring and awareness."(Inputs from Mariyam Shakeel and Shruti Shukla)