Pulwama dumping site lacks connectivity, garbage piles up

Suhail Bhat
Srinagar, June 26: Pulwama is reeling under the blanket of unwanted waste causing nuisance to the residents of the area as the District Administration has failed to construct proper road connectivity to the dumping site.
In absence of proper dumping of waste, roadside and stream banks are covered with litter which are causing a threat to the environment and at the same time may lead to diseases. Polythene and other wastes are being thrown on roadside and near health institutes, which is posing health threat. The locals said that the Government should introduce a scientific mechanism to recycle domestic waste to reduce the risk of diseases.
Presently, the Pulwama Municipal Corporation dumps waste in front of the Eidgah at Chapora area of the town. The area is also surrounded by paddy fields and apple orchards. The locals said that a foul stink has shrouded the whole area. “The area is shrouded under foul stink which can also spread diseases in the area. The foul smell emanating from the garbage has also discouraged visitors. It is not a Government land,” Manzoor Ahmad, a local said.
The garbage attracts stray dogs and birds that can be seen scavenging for food in the rubbish thereby posing a clear threat to the passerby. The stray cows which can be seen roaming around these places consume plastic and other harmful substances from these places which cause serious injuries to their intestines, stomach, and esophagus.
In 2011, State Government notified sprawling 100 kanals of land in South Kashmir’s Lethpora hamlet on Srinagar- Jammu National Highway. However, the plan faced hurdles after a nearby police camp objected the move citing health grounds. The district administration woke up to the issue by identifying a temporary place to dump the waste but lack of road connectivity has rendered the move ineffective.
Asadullah, Incharge secretary of the Municipal Committee, said that the municipality has identified land for dumping waste near Wahibug area but the area lacks a proper approach road.  “The road is muddy and not motarable. We are constructing a temporary road. In the next few days, we will dump the garbage on the designated land.  I have already assured the residents that garbage will be lifted from the area,” he said.

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