Guest house turns into health hazard

Tribune News Service

Jammu, November 29

The Public Works Department (PWD) Guest House in the posh Gandhi Nagar area, a favourite destination for ministers and bureaucrats to hold media interactions and official meetings, has turned into a health hazard for residents.

The staff dump solid waste after conclusion of functions in the open near the boundary wall of the building. The sprawling building, surrounded by residential quarters of senior bureaucrats, ministers and MLAs, mocks at the ‘Swachh Bharat Abhiyan’ launched across the state.

The foul smell emanating from and flies breeding in the garbage dump are a constant source of headache for residents. The municipal corporation and the PWD do not make any effort to arrange a garbage bin or lift solid waste dumped after every function.

Interestingly, several senior government officials are routinely participating in sanitation campaigns in the city, but find it difficult to clear their backyard.

A senior bureaucrat living in the area expressed dismay over the situation. “It is the duty of the PWD and the municipal corporation to ensure that solid waste is lifted and prevent staff from throwing garbage near the wall facing the national highway. The management should be held responsible for such acts,” he said.

The situation turns worse during summer and monsoon when the threat of diseases is greater. “Till a few days back, there was a huge dump on the other side of the guest house, which was cleared after making several pleas to the municipal corporation,” said the security guard of a senior minister.

“If this can be the situation of this posh locality where the high and mighty are living, what will be the condition of other areas of the city?” he asked.

When contacted, Alok Mengi, Chief Engineer, R&B Department, claimed that directions had been issued to ensure proper disposal, but if there was any violation, action would be taken.

“I will ask my staff to look into the issue and take necessary action. I was not aware of the situation,” he said. The shortage of garbage bins and manpower to lift solid waste was a major hindrance in keeping the city clean.

Though the municipal corporation has been launching a cleanliness drive from time to time, the participation of citizens is minimal. Non-government organisations and inhabitants of residential colonies are looking towards civic bodies to do the needful.