Suhail Bhat
SRINAGAR, Nov 16: As trash accumulates in the Handwara Bus Stand in north Kashmir’s Kupwara district due to lack of a suitable disposal site, the administration will establish a dump site based on scientific principles to tackle the garbage issues of at least three municipalities.
Authorities told Excelsior that the administration has chosen a spot close to the Watayin area of Handwara for the development of a dumping site for three municipalities-Handwara, Kupwara and Langate-with an estimated cost of Rs. 2.5 crores.
“We issued the tenders after the DPRs were approved and once they are awarded, the project will begin. This initiative will finally put an end to the three municipalities’ rubbish problems,” Executive officer Handwara Municipal Committee, Farooq Ahmad, told Excelsior.
He said that the decision was made to address the difficulties committees have in disposing off waste and the concerns that result from that. “For instance, we are not permitted to dump trash at the sensitive site (Bagatpora) owing to the vicinity of a water body, thus it is being discarded at the bus stop. Naturally, this is making life difficult for the people,” he said.
Meanwhile, the residents have expressed anger towards the authorities for leaving the mounds of trash unattended at the bus stand in Handwara. “Both passengers and drivers are alarmed by the placement of trash piles at such an important public place,” Bashir Ahmad, a local, said.
Residents said that stray animals like dogs and birds are drawn to the trash, where they can be seen hunting for food and harming nearby people, especially women and children. “Passengers worry for their safety since there are dogs in the bus yard”, another resident said.
Municipal officials, according to residents, have failed to remove the waste on a regular basis, causing serious problems for the people. The area has been transformed into a virtual garbage dump, with debris piles posing health risks.
“The foul odour emanating from the garbage is causing significant problems for people, especially the elderly, who are having difficulty breathing,” Abdul Rashid, a resident said.
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