Garbage raises stink in city, MC draws flak

In the run-up to Diwali, garbage heaps can be seen strewn in various parts of the city, exposing the civic authorities’ lackadaisical approach towards cleanliness, much to the dismay of residents and visitors alike.

At Kila Chowk near Khaddar Bhandar, plastic waste, along with vegetable and fruit waste, can be seen scattered across the streets.

The scene at Sanauri Adda is no different, reflecting a similar level of civic neglect. The situation has worsened near Safabadi Gate and Nabha Gate, where the stench and sight of garbage, dumped on the roadside, forces passers-by to cover their faces.

Social activist Vinod Sharma highlighted the dismal state of garbage management in the city. “The condition is so bad that only the iron frame of dustbins is left, while the bins themselves have gone missing,” he said. Sharma urged the municipal authorities to address this serious issue, noting that the uncollected garbage not only tarnished the city’s image, but also was an eyesore for the growing number of visitors ahead of the festival season.

The factory area, too, paints a grim picture as resident Gurbaksh Singh expressed his frustration, stating, “The issue of garbage has been raised multiple times, but nothing has changed.”

In some areas, residents preparing for Diwali could be seen dumping household waste directly onto the streets, exacerbating the problem. Construction debris and waste materials have also been spotted in several residential neighborhoods, contributing further to the mess.

Attempts to reach Municipal Commissioner Rajat Oberoi for a comment were unsuccessful. However, a civic body official said, “The public must also cooperate by refraining from dumping garbage on the roads, while cleaning their houses.” He stressed that residents should play their part in maintaining cleanliness.

Recently, Deputy Commissioner Dr Preeti Yadav inspected the city’s material recovery facility (MRF) at the Focal Point, where dry and wet waste was segregated. During her visit, she also reviewed the garbage dump and sewage treatment plant (STP), calling on citizens to collaborate with the administration to help minimize waste and adopt sustainable waste disposal practices.

Yadav emphasised the importance of reducing waste at the source, ensuring a 100 per cent segregation of wet and dry waste, and recycling reusable materials. She urged residents to take responsibility and said that by following these steps, Patiala could move closer to becoming a clean, green, and garbage-free city. Additionally, she encouraged people to plant saplings in an effort to improve the city’s environment.

MLA assures residents of resolution before Diwali

AAP MLA Ajitpal Singh Kohli assured residents that the issue of solid waste management had been addressed with the Municipal Commissioner. “We have asked the commissioner to instruct the department concerned to carry out garbage cleaning on a war footing. We assure residents that all roads will be cleaned ahead of Diwali,” Kohli said.