Stink from overflowing sewer nauseates shopkeepers, visitors at Scooter Market

Harshraj Singh

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, February 18

Shopkeepers are up in arms as the Municipal Corporation (MC) has failed to pay attention towards unsanitary conditions at the Scooter Market. They blame the civic body for ignoring stinking water and garbage in the market.

The Scooter Sellers’ Association president, Satinderpal Singh, said, “Uncovered garbage dump and public toilets are located next to our shops. Water flows back to toilets and accumulates on the road as the sewer is choked.”

“We have been complaining to the civic body for past one week. Some MC workers had come to clean the sewer today, but the problem still exists. We are forced to work under poor conditions,” he added.

“It is hard to take breath due to stink arising from water on the road. Earlier, the MC had assured to shift the garbage dump, but nothing has been done till date. Even a broken wall of the garbage dump has not been repaired,” he said.

“Meanwhile, our problem has increased after rain as there is no proper drainage in the market,” he added.

“We appeal to the MC authorities to send their team to fix the problem as shopkeepers, workers and visitors are suffering a lot. We also demand that the garbage dump should be shifted from the market as people are falling ill due to unsanitary conditions,” said another shopkeeper.

“A road along the garbage dump is broken. The authorities must get it repaired. We will be forced to go on agitation if the civic body does not take requisite measures to ensure cleanliness in the market,” he added.

“We have sent the MC staff to check the problem. It seems water gets accumulated due to garbage dump. We will take necessary steps to sort out the problem. Another team will be sent to the market on Tuesday morning,” said Ravinder Garg, MC Superintending Engineer.