RAWALPINDI, April 7: Despite directives by the environmental watchdog, the Rawalpindi Cantonment Board (RCB) has failed to shift the landfill site out of the city area.

The Punjab-Environment Protection Agency (Punjab-EPA) had asked the civic body to shift out the landfill site from Dhoke Gujran, fearing improper disposal of solid waste could produce leachate which would contaminate groundwater sources.

The Punjab-EPA sent the matter to the environment tribunal last year where RCB promised to shift the landfill site and convert the place into a housing scheme.

However, despite the passing of six months, the civic agency is still undecided about choosing a landfill site.

“The present site is near the cantonment areas and the fuel consumed for transportation of waste there is less,” said an official.

He said the RCB had selected a site on Chakri Road but as it was far away the idea was dropped to save the transportation cost.

The residents of the adjoining localities of the landfill site, including Dhoke Mustaqeem, Dhoke Gujran, Bhatta Chowk, Misrial Road, Burf Khana Chowk and People’s Colony, have been complaining to the cantonment authorities to shift the site from the area.

Last month, they staged a protest asking the cantonment authorities to save them from different diseases and foul smell. But the RCB is paying no heed to their problems.

“I have been suffering skin allergy for the last 10 months soon after I shifted to the locality. Doctors have advised me to change the house but it is difficult for me to go to a new place,” said Mohammad Akram, a resident of Dhoke Gujran.

Raja Mohammad Nawaz, a resident of Misrial Road, said the foul smell was disturbing.

The RCB dump the garbage in the open, producing a breeding ground for rats, stray dogs and insects. The foul smell and smoke of burning trash are causing respiratory diseases,” said Saleem Malik, a resident of Misrial Road.

“I went to the cantonment executive officer twice but his secretary said his boss was in Islamabad to attend a meeting,” Mr Malik said,  adding that the dumpers on their way to Dhoke Gujran were also littering the roads with falling garbage.

“We will soon shift the landfill site to another place. We invited those willing to sell their land at low prices in the limits of the cantonment and four parties presented their papers,” said Cantonment Executive Officer Rana Manzoor Ahmed Khan while talking to Dawn.

He said he had formed a three-member committee to select a suitable place and the process would complete by end of the current fiscal year.

The RCB has set aside Rs30 million for the purchase of land for the new landfill site, he added.