Binwa turns river of garbage at Baijnath

Ravinder Sood

Palampur, February 2

The Baijnath Municipal Council and the temple authorities are dumping garbage in the Binwa, a tributary of the Beas passing through Baijnath, in violation of the guidelines of the National Green Tribunal (NGT). However, the district authorities seem not concerned about the situation.

The river is a major source of drinking water in the lower areas of Baijnath and Paprola but has become highly polluted.

Chhavi Nanta, SDM, Baijnath, said there was no place for garbage dumping in Baijnath, therefore, the Municipal Council dumps it in the river. The land allotted for a dumping site was embroiled in a dispute. She had started proceedings under Section 133 of the IPC against the MC. She said that she was not getting cooperation from locals in this regard.

However, Ruchi Kapoor, president of Baijnath Municipal Council, tells a different story. She said that the Deputy Commissioner had transferred over 40 kanals for a garbage treatment plant and there was no dispute at all. Despite repeated requests, the revenue authorities could not demarcate land.

The MC had floated tenders for the boundary wall of the land. The matter was also brought to the notice of the SDM and the Tehsildar but in the past six months, no demarcation was done. She added over Rs 11 crore was lying with the MC for the development of the town but had not be utilised in the past two years.