Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, Jan 23: In absence of a proper dumping site, the Municipal Committee in Sopore Town of north Kashmir’s Baramulla district dumps garbage along the edges of River Jhelum which not only pollutes the water body but also poses threat to the lives of dozens of people who consume the water.
Local residents told Excelsior that the officials of the Municipal Committee Sopore collect garbage from all the localities and finally dump along the River edges at multiple places. They said that not the garbage is being dumped on the edges of Jhelum but also at several markets.
“However dumping the garbage near river is extremely dangerous since it poses multiple threats directly to the people. The houseboat dwellers consume the water of the River Jhelum and the garbage pollutes this water, hence posing threat to their lives,” said the locals.
According to officials, a total of 15 metric ton garbage is generated in Sopore Town – also called Apple Town of Kashmir – everyday. The dumping ground for the Town has been a long pending demand of the local residents. Even though the top officials gave assurances to the locals over garbage dumping site but there is no progress on ground.
Traders Federation Sopore president, Muhammad Ashraf Ganai, told Excelsior that the issue of garbage dumping has become a headache for the people. “You see Sopore stinks due to this garbage. The garbage is lying on roads, streets, river edges, markets and it smells horribly,” he said.
“The government recently allotted 97 kanal of land for the garbage dumping site on Sopore outskirts but a former Minister is creating hindrances for it. The tendering for it has also been done but unfortunately he has become a hurdle,” the Traders president added.
Executive Officer, Ghulam Rasool, when contacted by Excelsior denied that the officials of the Municipal Committee dump garbage along Jhelum edges. “As you know there is no dumping ground available for us but wherever we dump we do it legally. A dumping ground is coming up at Sangrama but it will take at least 6 months to get that completed,” he said, adding: “from past week we are dumping garbage at a makeshift site.”
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