Locals in Pulwama resent garbage dumping along circular road

PULWAMA — In southern Kashmir’s Pulwama district, the local authorities are contributing to the misery of shopkeepers, students and residents by dumping garbage gathered across the town along the circular road near Government Degree College for Women Pulwama.

Local residents said that garbage is dumped near the college on the circular road on a regular basis, despite the fact that “there is plenty of space for it elsewhere.”

“They collect all of the waste and dump it here, where as many shopkeepers are troubled as a result of the concerned authorities’ indifference,” locals added.

They said that since the threat of COVID-19 pandemic is still looming large, the garbage dumping site poses a serious health risk.

“We have already suffered a lot due to lockdowns, and now that garbage is being spilled near our shops on a daily basis, it has further harmed our well-being, both economically and health-wise,” the agitated shopkeepers said.

It is pertinent to mention that the area where the waste is dumped is not only a commercial area in the vicinity of the main town but also a suburban neighbourhood, creating problems for the inhabitants.

“They have plenty of room in the town to dump the trash, but they choose this site despite the fact that it is suburban, houses certain businesses, and is close to the Women’s Degree College,” residents lamented.

Residents and locals have petitioned the district’s concerned officials to stop dumping waste at the site and to relocate it to a more remote location.

Meanwhile, the Executive Officer of Municipal Committee Pulwama, Mohammad Iqbal Bhat said that they are looking at alternative locations. “We are aware of the people’s grievance and hopefully, we’ll find a way out soon,” he assured.