Residents of Housing Societies wait for garbage to be lifted
It has been over a decade now that residents wait for garbage to be lifted from their area. According to residents repeated complaints made by them to Rajkot Municipal Corporation (RMC) officials have fallen on deaf ears. The five housing societies-Padmkunvarba society, Ashutosh Society, Megh Malhar apartment, Sumitnath apartment on the Airport Road have been trying to solve this problem for at least 10 years now.
Rajkot is the 4th largest city in the state of Gujarat, India. Administrative headquarters of the Rajkot District is located on the banks of the Aji River and Niari River. Rajkot is managed by many government bodies, including Jilla Seva Sadan (Rajkot district Collector Offices), Rajkot Municipal Corporation, Rajkot Urban Development Authority and Police Department of Gujarat and Rajkot City Traffic Police Department.
The open plot common to these societies has become a garbage dump and to make matters worse, a dustbin put up by RMC has gradually moved towards the main road creating hurdles to vehicular traffic. The open plot which became garbage dump not only a nuisance but also unhygienic and a threat to the residents’ health.
“Whenever we have gone to RMC to complain, we have been told the land (open plot) is a disputed one and does not belong to RMC. We have also tried to argue that if the land is owned privately, then the owner should be asked to fence the open plot and keep it clean. Just because it is disputed, does not mean that it becomes a dumping site,” said Ghanshyam Gadhvi, a resident of Padmkunvarba Society.
“During monsoon, the situation turns out to be more serious as stray cattle come to eat from the dustbin, there is heavy water logging in the open area and this stagnant water becomes the breeding ground for mosquitoes, causing various vector-borne diseases. This apart, the stench from the garbage makes it very difficult for people to pass by and come up to our houses at times,” added Gadhvi.
However RMC officials said that they are collecting solid waste regularly from the site and maintaining cleanliness.According to society members, they have been trying to solve this problem for at least 10 years now. “We had first approached collector office and concerned department in RMC. However, no actions were taken and later we started making complaints to RMC.” Residents suspect the involvement of land sharks, which may be influencing the ownership deed of the plot.
RMC officials said that they are collecting solid waste regularly from the site and maintaining cleanliness. “But, it may be possible that in the last week, officials may not have collected it due to other assignments for the ongoing Independence Day celebration. We will make sure that it will be done soon as per the rule,” said senior RMC official.
- Source: Times of India
Gujarat, housing societies, Rajkot, Rajkot Municipal Corporation, Residents of Housing Societies, Residents Welfare Associations
