Ludhiana: Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar residents approach rights panel against illegal dumping of debris

LUDHIANA: Irked over frequent dumping of debris by contractors at a vacant land in Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar, the area residents have approached the Punjab State Human Rights Commission, saying Ludhiana Improvement Trust (LIT) officials are not acting on their complaints. It is 18 acres of prime land of LIT.
The residents said with the arrival of monsoon, it will create problems for them as along with debris, garbage, too, is being dumped at the site.
Arvind Sharma, an activist and resident of the area, said, “Some land is lying vacant in Block D of SBS Nagar where residential flats are to be constructed. There, hills of garbage and debris are being made by contractors who bring trolleys loaded with dump. We have raised the matter with officials several times, but to no avail. On Saturday evening, too, a trolley unloaded the debris at the vacant land. We recorded the activity and decided to approach the human rights commission.”
Another resident Balraj Chopra said, “Already there are chances of spreading of diseases during rainy season. The dumping of waste here will make those chances brighter. In the past years, the area suffered dengue, malaria and water-borne diseases. If this continues, the diseases might visit the area again.”
Denying the allegations, LIT executive engineer Boota Ram said, “We take action against those caught red-handed dumping garbage or debris at any property. I will again check the area. I have asked the officials concerned to get an FIR registered against erring people as it is the prime land of the department.”