FAISALABAD, Oct 10: Heaps of garbage in residential and commercial areas refute the claims of the Faisalabad Municipal Corporation about launching cleanliness drive in the city.

The city produces approximately 500 tons of garbage daily which is not disposed of owing to the mismanagement and negligence on the part of FMC functionaries.

During a survey, heaps of litter and refuse were seen in eight bazaars and adjacent markets. The most affected residential areas include Ghulam Muhammadabad, Razaabad, Kamalabad, Warispura, Hasanpura, Sarfraz Colony, Muhammadpura, Millat Colony, Samanabad, Marzipura and Faizabad. FMC sanitary workers seldom visit many other localities.

Recently, the FMC installed drums in various city parts so that citizens could throw garbage in them. These drums were seldom emptied by the FMC staff.

Heaps of stinking garbage and filth have also cropped up along almost all main city roads, posing health hazards to passers-by. In many localities, the FMC staff burn the garbage, adding to the pollution.

It was learnt that most vehicles for lifting garbage from filth depots have been lying out of order for the past many months.

In some localities, sanitary workers were seen brooming streets, roads and lifting waste. Residents told this correspondent that they pay Rs50 to Rs100 monthly for each house to these sanitary workers.

There are no arrangements to properly dispose of hospitals’ waste. The Allied, DHQ, Mian Trust, Aziz Fatima Trust hospitals and other private hospitals and clinics throw the waste along the roads. Sanitary workers burn this waste.

The FMC solid waste management wing comprises 12 chief sanitary inspectors, 29 sanitary inspectors, 71 sanitary supervisors, 2,810 sanitary workers, one chief sanitary inspector and inspector (transport) for each zone, 49 drivers, 19 cleaners and 68 loaders. Most of the lower staff performs duties at the residences of ‘big guns’, FMC sources allege.