Residents protest garbage burning by Palampur Municipal Corporation

Our Correspondent

Palampur, November 16

The residents of upper areas of Palampur, including Awarana, SSB Chowk, Neugal park and Differpatt, yesterday lodged a protest over the burning of garbage by the Municipal Corporation at its waste treatment plant at Aima village, situated 2 km from the town.

The Aima village panchayat was earlier running the garbage treatment plant and it was declared as one of the best plants in the state. Hundreds of panchayat representatives from all over the state had visited it. Aima panchayat had won several awards for successful installation of the first treatment plant in a rural area.

However, after its formation, the MC took over the plant in January this year. Since then the situation has worsened in the absence of skilled workers and technical know-how. In the past nine months, the plant has not functioned properly for even a day and garbage burning has become a routine here.

The plant has become a health hazard, particularly for aged people and those residing nearby. Large dumps of garbage can be seen burning everyday, emitting a foul smell and harmful gases. A thick cover of pollution can be seen in the area. Despite repeated requests by the residents, the municipal authorities have taken no measures to address the problem. The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has imposed a complete ban on garbage burning.

When asked, Vinay Dhiman, Municipal Commissioner, said that adequate measures were being taken to address the issue. He said that because of manpower shortage the corporation was facing problems in managing the plant.

He said the Aima plant had the capacity to treat garbage of three panchayats but after the formation of the MC, 15 panchayats were included. Therefore, the plant was unable to treat the garbage of 15 wards. He added that he had requested the state government for funds for the purchase of a new unit.