Residents from various wards have alleged that heaps of garbage are frequently being set on fire along roadsides and near residential areas, leading to increased air pollution and posing health risks to local inhabitants.
According to residents, smoke from burning plastic, polythene and mixed municipal waste often engulfs nearby neighbourhoods, particularly during the early morning hours. They claim the fumes have caused persistent coughing, throat irritation, breathing difficulties and eye irritation among residents.
Senior citizens and people suffering from asthma, respiratory ailments and other pulmonary disorders are said to be the worst affected by the practice.
Residents further alleged that some MC employees were involved in burning waste despite the existence of a regular waste collection mechanism. They expressed disappointment that repeated complaints to the civic body had failed to yield any concrete action.
A senior MC official acknowledged that incidents of garbage burning had come to the administration’s notice. He said despite an established waste collection system, some sanitation workers were allegedly not adhering to prescribed waste disposal norms.
“Open burning of garbage is a clear violation of environmental regulations and attracts stringent penalties under the guidelines of the National Green Tribunal (NGT). The minimum penalty for such violations is Rs 25,000,” the official said.
Environmentalist Subhash Sharma said there was no justification for burning waste when a functional door-to-door collection system was already in place. “The lack of strict enforcement has encouraged irresponsible behaviour. The problem has been compounded by the fact that the posts of sanitary inspectors in the MC have remained vacant for over a year,” he said. Sharma called for stricter enforcement of waste management rules, regular monitoring of vulnerable locations, installation of warning signboards and the imposition of heavy penalties on violators.
Environmental activists have urged the MC to take immediate corrective measures, warning that continued open burning of waste could escalate into a serious public health and environmental challenge for the town.
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