Anantnag, Jul 05 (KNO): The much-hyped Sewerage Waste Management plants at several spots in south Kashmir’s Anantnag have turned into dumping sites, causing immense suffering for residents.
Locals from various areas of Anantnag told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that these sewerage waste management plants have become dumping grounds.
Residents from Srigufwara said that the Rural Development Department (RDD) constructed a sewerage shed along the Bijbehara-Pahalgam road near Darkhan Srigufwara for proper garbage disposal a few months ago. However, the shed has been left defunct, with all the area’s garbage being dumped there, neither segregated nor removed, they said.
They added that the garbage is scattered near the shed, which attracts many dogs and causes inconvenience to residents.
Echoing similar concerns, residents of Pazalpora, Bijbehara said the government is risking people's lives as the scattered garbage near the shed attracts dogs. “No segregation is done at these sites; instead, they have been turned into dumping grounds, which affects the entire area,” said a resident.
He said that during the construction of the infrastructure, authorities were informed that there must be proper disposal of waste and not a dumping site. “They assured us there wouldn't be a dumping site, but now there is only garbage dumped,” he added.
Irshad Ahmad, a resident of Pazalpora, said the department is dumping all the area’s garbage near the shed, leaving it scattered everywhere. “If the government is really working on the Swachh Bharat Mission and Swachhata Hi Seva, they need to fix these issues immediately,” he added.
A local woman said they are suffering due to the foul smell coming from the site, and their children cannot roam freely. She urged the government to clear the site regularly or close it once and for all.
Locals said they have brought this issue to the notice of higher authorities several times but to no avail. They requested higher-ups, especially DC Anantnag and ACD Anantnag, to address the matter urgently so that locals do not suffer anymore—(KNO)