Residents of Kanlibagh, a residential colony in Baramulla town, have expressed strong resentment over the dumping of municipal waste at a spot within the colony, saying the site has turned into a major health and safety nuisance.
According to locals, sanitation workers of the Municipal Council Baramulla have been using an abandoned house belonging to a Kashmiri migrant family, whose boundary walls have collapsed, as an unofficial garbage collection and disposal point.
They said waste collected from the area is routinely dumped at the site instead of being transported to a designated waste-disposal facility.
The accumulated garbage, residents said, has not only marred the surroundings but has also created unhygienic conditions in the densely populated locality.
The decomposing waste has resulted in a foul smell, while the presence of a large number of stray dogs has added to the residents’ concerns.
Locals said the spot is located along a route frequently used by commuters travelling towards Sangri and other adjoining areas.
They said students, women and elderly residents are particularly apprehensive while passing through the area because of the large number of stray dogs around garbage.
“The situation has become unbearable. We cannot understand how a residential area can be turned into a dumping site. The authorities should immediately remove the garbage and stop using this place for waste disposal,” said Manzoor Ahmad of Kanlibagh, Baramulla.
Residents also said the garbage has made movement difficult for people living in the vicinity, besides posing a potential threat to public health and safety.
They have urged the Municipal Council Baramulla and district administration to intervene immediately, clear the accumulated waste and identify a proper site for garbage disposal.
The residents have also appealed to the Lieutenant Governor and the Chief Minister to take note of the issue and ensure that the civic authorities address their grievances.
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