Dumping of waste in drains a cause for concern

Garbage dumps along roadsides and in open drains continue to be a major civic issue in the Sadar area of Ambala Cantonment.

Though the Municipal Council, Ambala Sadar, claims that it has been focusing on sanitation conditions, Cabinet Minister and Ambala Cantonment MLA Anil Vij has expressed dissatisfaction with the efforts of the Municipal Council.

Residents said that garbage could be seen scattered at various locations — in the drain near Vijay Rattan Chowk, outside Ambala Cantonment bus stand and also along the roads — and it presented a poor picture of Ambala. Besides, stray cattle could be seen eating garbage from the dump, they said.

A tea seller near Vijay Rattan Chowk said, “The drain near the chowk is badly choked with garbage dumps and Municipal Council has failed to clean the drain. Plastic bottles, polybags and other garbage can be seen in the drain, which emits a

foul smell. The council officials must get the drain cleaned regularly.”

Atul Mahajan, president of the Vijay Rattan Chowk market association, said “A large number of customers visit the market of the Sadar area daily and the drain choked with garbage presents a poor picture. The council officials should pay some attention to the condition and ensure timely cleaning of the drain. Besides this, the condition of public toilets is also poor. Officials should focus on improving the condition of public toilets too.”

Meanwhile, tractor-trailers and machines were spotted lifting a huge pile of garbage outside the Ambala Cantonment Bus Stand. Due to the presence of vegetable and fruit market near the bus stand, a huge quantity of garbage and rotten vegetables are dumped there creating poor sanitation conditions and causing a foul smell.

Vinod Beniwal, Chief Sanitary Inspector (CSI), Municipal Council, Ambala Sadar, said, “Due to the presence of vegetable and fruit sellers, a huge quantity of garbage is dumped near the bus stand but our teams lift garbage twice a day. Besides this, all efforts are being made to keep all areas under the Sadar zone clean.”

Cabinet Minister Anil Vij said, “The Municipal Council should focus on sanitation conditions. I have told officials that if I find garbage dumps anywhere, I will take action against the officials concerned.”

Meanwhile, Sub-divisional Magistrate-cum-Administrator, Municipal Council, Ambala Sadar, Satinder Siwach said, “Directions have been already issued to the staff to focus on sanitation conditions. The senior officials were also asked to supervise the entire situation and get special drives conducted if needed. During the festive season, the quantity of garbage increases in the market areas. With night sweeping and road sweeping machines being used, we have high expectations regarding cleanliness. All efforts are being made by the sanitation employees to improve the sanitation conditions and keep the areas cleaned.”