Raja Syed Rather
Ganderbal, Mar 10: The absence of garbage collection vehicles over the past month in Kangan area of Ganderbal has stirred frustration among the local residents and hotel owners.
The locals said that despite paying a monthly fee for waste collection, the non-arrival of these vehicles has led to the proliferation of waste on roadsides in the residential areas.
Residents and business owners in Prang, Kangan and Kijpora here have expressed their disappointment over the adverse environmental impacts caused by the negligence, with streets and public spaces witnessing heaps of garbage for the last sometime.
“The absence of garbage collection has not only made our area look unkempt but has also started attracting pests. It’s becoming a health hazard for everyone living and working here,” said a local resident from Kangan.
Hotel proprietors in the area are also feeling the effects of this disruption, claiming it is damaging their business reputation. They have demanded urgent intervention from local authorities.
“Tourists are starting to notice the accumulation of garbage around our hotels. It’s affecting our business, and we urge the authorities to take immediate action to restore the garbage collection service,” said a hotel owner in Kangan.
Despite the construction of approximately six segregation sheds in Kangan Block, none are currently operational. Residents acknowledge that while the establishment of these sheds was a positive initiative, the Rural Development Department (RDD) has failed to manage and segregate the waste deposited there. This neglect has led to the sheds becoming dumping grounds, emitting foul odors and attracting stray animals, thereby posing health hazards and inconveniences to the local community.
Residents and business owners alike are urging the authorities to ensure the garbage collection vehicles arrive regularly to prevent further inconvenience.
Locals appealed to the ACD and Deputy Commissioner of Ganderbal to urgently address the operational issues of the waste segregation sheds in Kangan Block, as their current non-functionality is severely impacting the community’s health and environment.
