LUDHIANA: After the civic body launched drive around Buddha Dariya to curb dumping of solid waste, the violators are throwing waste into the drain in the night. The officials claimed that earlier they were throwing garbage during the day or early morning. But since teams remain vigil during the day, it has become impossible to throw in the night, so they are waiting till midnight to do the deed. However, to check this practice too, the civic body is taking help from PCR cops and some civic employees are also deputed on the task at night time.
On Friday, the officials came across a person who was dumping waste in the drain but he claimed that he was unaware of the ban on throwing waste in drain. However, when officials checked the municipal corporation (MC) teams, it came to light that the team had already visited his house and proper information was also passed on. He was let off this time with a promise that he will not do the same in future.
The 14km long stretch of the drain, falling within the MC limits and around 28 bridges fall at drain, which are under supervision of 28 nodal officers.
Nodal officer Maheshwar Singh said, “The change has come and we can say there is 70% benefit of this awareness as well as challaning drive, which is going on for the last few days. But still 25 to 30% of violators are not mending their ways and if we check during the day they have started throwing garbage at night time.” He said now they are keeping vigil at night time as well with the help of staff and PCR cops.
Meanwhile, on Friday, the volunteers from Arya College carried out awareness rally in areas like Deep Nagar, New Deep Nagar, Vrindavan Road, Jhandu Chowk up to Damoria bridge in ward number 83. The volunteers warned the residents and shopkeepers about dumping garbage in drain and pamphlets were also distributed. Also 200 volunteers from Government College for Girls, SDP College for Women and Kamla Lohtia SD College visited around 1,200 houses/shops in areas under zone A. The volunteers made people aware of ban on dumping garbage in Buddha Dariya, segregation of waste, no burning of solid waste and use of swachhta mobile application and citizen feedback.