Ganderbal, Apr 12: The residents and shopkeepers in Wakura Block of central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district are grappling with mounting waste and deteriorating hygiene conditions due to the prolonged absence of garbage collection vehicles.
Despite paying a monthly fee for waste disposal, the locals alleged that the waste collection has been stalled for several days, leading to heaps of garbage accumulating along roadsides and open spaces.
“The lack 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,” a local resident told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO).
Business owners echoed similar concerns, stating that the unchecked waste is tarnishing the image of their establishments and deterring customers. “Our reputation is at stake. Customers don’t want to shop in unhygienic surroundings,” said a shopkeeper in the area.
Although segregation sheds were constructed under the waste management initiative in Wakura Block, locals claim they remain non-operational. Instead of serving their intended purpose, the sheds have turned into dumping sites, emitting foul smells and attracting stray animals, further aggravating public health risks.
Residents have urged the Rural Development Department (RDD) to act swiftly to operationalize these facilities and restore regular waste collection.
In response, the Block Development Officer (BDO) of Wakura told KNO that the core issue lies in the non-availability of land for proper waste disposal.
“There is an issue of land or site for waste disposal. We have written to the concerned tehsildar, who replied that no land is currently available. We are still in search of a suitable location,” the BDO said.
Locals have appealed to the Deputy Commissioner of Ganderbal to intervene and resolve the issue on priority, stressing that the current situation is severely affecting both public health and the environment—(KNO)
