Excessive pollution and the mushrooming of slums have taken a
toll of the city’s once enviable environs, writes Thakur Paramjit

No more clean, no more green

IN spite of the publicity to project Chandigarh as the City Beautiful, the factual position remains otherwise. There are a number of ugly areas and a large number of irresponsible citizens. Besides, a majority of the government officials do not work sincerely to solve the city’s problems.

A couple of years ago, the Chandigarh Administration tried to stop air pollution by checking smoke emitted by vehicles plying on the city roads. That was an appreciable step. But sadly, the Administration had put in half-hearted efforts and the drive to check pollution did not last long. Even today, state transport buses, diesel-run autorickshaws and other vehicles continue to pollute the air and there has been no move to check them.

Moreover, the leaves and rubbish lying on the roads are simply gathered into a heap by safaikaramcharis and set on fire. Added to that is the black smoke emitted by factories and brick-kilns situated on the outskirts of the city.

The city also suffers from noise pollution. With an ever increasing number of vehicles, the city roads have become ‘overburdened’. Visitors from foreign countries are simply stunned at the excessive use of horns. Rajvir Minhas, a recent visitor from Canada, says "Honking in this fashion is considered bad manners in Canada. In that country, people blow horn only in case of emergency."

Should one call it a "custom" or "sheer lack of responsibility and empathy towards one’s neighbours" that makes the majority of people install a loudspeaker at their social and religious functions. Such persons are neither concerned about the studies of children nor care about the discomfort caused to old people due to their action. The early morning recital of religious discourses in temples and gurdwaras on loudspeakers also contributes to the pollution. And now, we also have programmes by pop stars and folk singers, organised in Parade Ground or Leisure Valley. These blaring performances keep half of the city awake till midnight. And add to that the noisy Divali mela organised by the Lions Club and other such events; and Chandigarh emerges as one of the most noise polluted cities of the country.

Many a time, the Chandigarh Police has asked the citizens to dial 100 whenever someone uses loudspeaker at a high volume. The gesture is praiseworthy, but the people who have sought the help of the police, opine that no action is taken against the erring persons.

Water pollution comes next. Have a look at the reservoirs of water built around the fountains in the Sector 17 Plaza, Panjab University, and other places, and the algae, plastic bags and other rubbish floating on the surface of the water saddens you. The very sites created to beautify the city have become ugly sores, thanks to the ‘efficiency’ of the government departments concerned.

The mushrooming of slums poses yet another threat to the environment. Their inhabitants keep the surroundings filthy, creating a health hazard for residents of the city. Many a time, the Chandigarh Administration has tried to resettle the slum dwellers by providing them houses, but the helpful gesture has always backfired. The inhabitants of jhuggi-jhopari colonies invite their relatives and friends, and consequently the number of slums goes on increasing. It is high time that the Chandigarh Administration stopped providing alternative accommodation to people living in these colonies. Such steps, apart from sending wrong signals to the inhabitants, spoil the environment of the city.

To keep the city clean and green, the Administration should not allow anybody to tamper with the green belt, which serves as the ‘lungs of the city’. The authorities must take strict steps to solve problems related to pollution (which, by the way, may seem difficult in a city full of VIPs, VVIPs and their kith and kin). It is high time some concrete action was taken. Tomorrow, it may be too late.