Amritsar: Residents, farmers for action against burning of garbage

Even as the administration is working hard to stop the burning of crop residue in the agricultural fields and has imposed fines, marked red entries in revenue records and even registered FIRs, burning of waste heaps continues unabated in the city.

Burning of waste heaps, including plant residue, dry leaves and plastic items, is a common practice witnessed frequently by the roadside. However, the administration has so far failed to take notice of it.

Farmer unions have repeatedly stated that they are being blamed for pollution but other sections of society have been getting a lenient view. “Burning of waste in public parks, by the roadside and even at Bhagatanwala garbage dump goes on throughout the year. Even the remote sensing centre spotted these fires but no one seems interested in checking the pollution caused by it,” said Balram Singh, a local resident.

A large heap of waste was seen burning on the stretch from Batala road to Gopal Nagar, near pillar number 9. The smoke emanating from the waste heap set on fire caused trouble to the residents and they complained that such incidents occur frequently.

The residents demanded that action should be taken against those burning waste in the city as a large number of people have to suffer because of the high density of population. “It takes hours for the smoke to dissipate if a garbage heap is burnt. Children and elderly stay at home and they have to face breathing problems due to the smoke,” said Rajinder Sharma, a local resident, adding that pollution caused by the burning of crop residue or burning of waste is the same and should be dealt with equal seriousness.

Despite the waste collection vans covering most city areas, such heaps are a common sight. Instead of handing over the waste to these vans, people throw them on roadsides and in vacant plots. It is then set on fire by the safai sewaks or residents.