2 months on, Ludhiana MC fails to run waste processing plant

Harshraj Singh

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, April 9

Even more than two months after a private firm terminated its services, the Municipal Corporation has failed to resume its waste processing plant located at main garbage dump near Kakka village in Ludhiana. A large amount of waste is getting collected daily at the MC’s main garbage dump.

Due to apathy of the civic body, the residents of areas located inside and outside the MC limit near the dump are a harried lot due to the huge collection of garbage waste at the dump. The foul smell emanating from the waste has made life of these residents miserable.

The residents of Kakka village have been demanding from the government to resolve the issue related to collection of waste at the main dump as they are forced to live under very bad conditions. Even no action has been taken by the MC to deal with the legacy waste (old waste) at the dump site.

A resident of Kakka village said, “Whenever high-velocity winds hit the area, our woes are increased as the waste from the dump fall in nearby areas. It is hard to breathe due to foul smell emanating from the big heaps of the waste. The MC seems to have turned a blind eye towards this issue. We want that the state government should strictly direct the civic body to deal with the waste without any further delay.”

Leader of Opposition in the MC House, Harbhajan Singh Dang said, “During the House meeting last month, we were assured that the tenders to invite new firms for handling the waste management will be floated soon but to no avail. A huge amount of waste is getting collected at main garbage dump. Moreover, the civic body should take required steps to deal with legacy waste. The residents of nearby area are suffering due to huge collection of the waste at main dump.”

Mayor Balkar Singh Sandhu said a company has given representation regarding the waste management. “We will soon hire a new firm to ensure proper functioning of waste-processing plant. The required steps will be taken to deal with legacy waste.”

Civic body told to make arrangements

In a meeting of the District Environment Committee, the MC has been directed to make arrangements for processing and disposal of municipal solid waste and submit a complete action-taken report regarding finalisation of fresh agency for processing of solid waste before the next meeting, an official of the PPCB said.