With authorities have failed to remove mounds of garbage from several localities of Badamibagh cantonment here, for past 50 days, locals fear the situation was fast turning into a health hazard.
On an average at least thirty metric ton of waste is producedin these areas every day, said an official, adding since there has been nogarbage collection for past 50 days at least 1500 metric tons waste was lyingon roads, streets and in overflowing dustbins.
“We are not able to come out of our houses owing to thestinking smell emanating from the garbage. In fact in this hot weather we areforced to keep windows shut to save ourselves from this pungent smell,” saidHilal Bhat, a resident of Palpora, Sonwar.
Authorities at the cantonment board said that they have nodumping site available to remove the garbage.
On the other hand, affected areas like Shivpora, Sonwar,Indra Nagar, Batwara and Athwajan, have turned into garbage dump with heaps ofwaste lying scattered, not only in residential areas but also in front ofschools and on roads and streets.
While complaining of inconvenience caused owing to piling upof garbage, another local said they fear that the situation could give rise toinfectious diseases in the localities. Another resident Altaf Mir echoed thesame views. “If the situation remains same we could be face a health crisis,”he said, urging the government to intervene.
Upendra Kumar, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) BadamibaghCantonment Board said they have written to divisional administration for providingthem space for dumping the garbage.
The Board was in possession of 197 kanal at Panthachowkwhich was used as garbage dumping ground. On the directions of High Court, itgave up the land and was provided an alternative land of 55 kanal at villageLethpora as garbage dumping site.
“From 12 March this year authorities at JK Police CommandoTraining Centre situated at Lethpora didn’t allow us to dump the garbagethere,” said Kumar.
He said Board has requested authorities to ask SMC to liftand dump the garbage till alternative site was allotted to it.