Dairies in Panipat city a nuisance

Mukesh Tandon

As many as 300 medium and large dairies operating in residential areas in Panipat city have become a nuisance for people living nearby. Besides, the dairy complex at Sondhapur village on the Jatal road in the district is struggling for basic amenities such as proper drainage, drinking water, streetlights, a veterinary hospital and doctors. 

Avneet Kaur, newly elected Mayor of Panipat, has again raised the issue of shifting of dairies outside residential areas. Dairy owners allegedly flush animal waste such as cow dung into open drains and sewer lines, choking them.

According to records, most of the dairies are situated in Ward numbers 3, 4, 7, 8, 10, 14 and 16. More than 40 dairies are being run in Ward numbers 3, 4 and 8. People are forced to live in insanitary and unhygienic conditions. 

Nishant Goel, who runs a stationery shop in the main market near Gheraraiyan, says that a drain near his shop remains choked with cow dung. “The situation worsens during rains and it becomes difficult for us to pass through the street. A foul smell emanating from the drain has made it difficult for me to even sit in the shop,” he adds.

The Haryana Government had carved out 197 plots in the dairy complex situated on the Jatal road in Sondhapur village of the district in 2004. The plots of three sizes were allotted to dairy owners at very low prices. The municipal corporation has resumed 33 plots while 80 plots are lying vacant. Dairy owners say no basic facilities have been provided in the complex.

“A tubewell in the dairy complex is not functioning for long. There is no drainage and biogas plant there,” says Satpal Manchanda, a dairy owner. The tubewell is non-functional for the last eight years, and therefore they arrange water through submersible pumps. Underground water supply pipes are also damaged, he adds. 

A plot in the complex was earmarked for a veterinary hospital but it has not beenconstructed. Also, there is no veterinary doctor or surgeon, says Manchanda. 

The dairy complex does not have a boundary wall and no police presence even though a plot is earmarked for a police post, says Rajiv Goswami, another dairy owner.

“No responsible officer had visited the complex in the past 17 years. Newly elected Mayor Avneet Kaur visited the complex and assured us of providing basic amenities,” says Goswami.

 Satish Kumar, another dairy owner, says, “Most of the dairies in the complex are operating from rented plots. The actual dairy owners have given their plots to others on huge rents while they are running their dairies in the city”.

The Mayor says that it is necessary to shift dairies out of the city to maintain cleanliness. The dairies in the city will have to either shut down or shift outside. “I have visited the dairy complex and assured dairy owners of providing better facilities there,” says Avneet.

 Priyanka Soni, Commissioner, Municipal Corporation (MC), says that councillors had met her regarding shifting of dairies outside the residential areas. A committee of three councillors will be formed to oversee shifting of dairies along with officers, she adds. 

 Notices have been served on more than 100 dairy owners in Panipat city to shift their operations. If they do not comply with the directions, their premises will be sealed, says Priyanka.

Not shifted for political reasons

• The MC has issued notices several times but dairies have not been shifted out of Panipat city for political reasons. 
• Dairy owners such as Gulshan Kumar, Sonu, Sunil, Sonu Sharma, and Subhash Bharara met Mayor Avneet Kaur regarding shifting of their dairies on Wednesday. 
• The Mayor asked them to shift their dairies out of the city. They told the Mayor that they were ready to shift their dairies but sought some more time. They also demanded land near Nimbri, Khotpura, and Bhainswal villages and the Jatal road for shifting their dairies. They also met MLA Rohita Rewri.

"It is necessary to shift dairies out of Panipat city to maintain cleanliness. The dairies will have to either shut down or shift outside the city. I have visited the dairy complex and assured dairy owners of providing better facilities there."

Avneet Kaur, Mayor

"A tubewell in the dairy complex is not functioning for the last eight years, and therefore we arrange water through submersible pumps. There is no drainage and biogas plant in the complex.  Underground water supply pipes are also damaged."

Satpal Manchanda, Dairy owner 

"The dairy complex does not have a boundary wall and no police presence even though a plot was earmarked for a police post. No responsible officer had visited the complex in the past 17 years. Newly elected Mayor Avneet Kaur visited the complex and assured us of providing basic amenities."

Rajiv Goswami, Dairy owner

"Most of the dairies in the dairy complex at Sondhapur village on the Jatal road are operating from rented plots. The owners have given their plots on huge rents to run dairies while they are running their own dairies in Panipat city."

Satish Kumar, Dairy owner