Bhagtanwala residents now bank on outstation NGOs

GS Paul

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, August 21

After not getting genuine support from any of the political parties, the Bhagtanwala residents have now been banking on the Mumbai and Delhi-based NGOs, which may join their agitation in coming days. Meanwhile, CPS Inderbir Bolaria skipped the visit to the protesting site today. 

The plight of Bhagtanwala residents is still unheard of. Thousands of residents living in different localities around Bhagtanwala dump yard site have been continuing with their protest demanding shifting of this dump yard and against setting up of solid waste management plant in their vicinity.  Except for verbal assurances by the officials and politicians nothing concrete could be taken to resolve their problem. Now, they have established contact with four NGOs based in Mumbai and Delhi, namely Chintan, Toxic Watch, Toxic Link and Paryavaran. 

The Sanjhi Sangharsh Committee, under whose banner the Bhagtanwala residents have been fighting their cause, today dispatched the drawings and documents pertaining to the ill-effects on the health of natives if solid waste management project is set up in their localities. 

Sanjay Sharma, vice-president of committee, said the dumping of waste over the years has made the environment unhygienic and many people of the area have contracted with diseases of serious nature due to this hazardous waste. 

"The political leaders had repeatedly visited us but no one could genuinely redress our plight. Through our resources, we came across some NGOs which have technically trained members based in Mumbai and Delhi. When contacted, their representatives gladly volunteered to join our protest. On their demand, we have sent those relevant documents and the regular communication we had with the government about shifting of dump yard and site of solid waste mangagement plant from Bhagtanwala. They intend to study our case before suggesting us next course of action," he said. 

Nirmal Nimma, president of committee, said the waste dumped over there since decades, has considerably affecting the underground water as well has multiplied respiratory problems among the residents of the area. 

Another resident Nawal Chawla said, "It looked quite absurd that the officials concerned were busy chalking out programme for planting lakhs of saplings in various nooks and corner of the city to save the environment, but they were not concerned about the pollution problem of our area. The officials straightaway were reluctant to respond."