TAXILA: Even though the Punjab government has launched a drive against dengue fever, little has been done with regards to practical measures such as fumigation and cleanliness projects.

Instead, it has been observed that the government’s concentration is focused on virtual acts, such as seminars and awareness posters.

Due to a lack of adequate maintenance and cleanliness, drainage and sewerage water has accumulated in various parts of the city, even in front of the Tehsil Municipal Administration (TMA) offices. The garbage near the Tehsil Headquarters (THQ) Hospital has not been removed.

It has been observed that the TMA’s failure to improve the sanitary conditions in localities under its jurisdiction could cause an epidemic, such as malaria and dengue in Hassanabdal.

According to a survey, the city of Hassanabdal stinks due to open garbage dumping sites and the TMA’s failure to provide adequate sanitation services to the city’s residents.

Sanitary conditions at Hazara Road, Housing Colony, Shah Johlan Road, Mohallah Andaroun and Lari Adda are particularly harrowing, with garbage heaps and overflowing sewerage lines in densely populated areas.

Local admin’s apathy could lead to disease outbreak

The inefficiency of the civic body has led to further deterioration of sanitary conditions in these localities.

Overflowing drains provide a breeding ground for mosquitoes and other organisms, exposing residents to various diseases.

Residents say that sanitation workers do not visit these areas to collect solid waste, causing garbage heaps along roads and streets to grow.

Domestic employees and civic authority employees have also been seen disposing of garbage collected from homes and commercial areas along roads, causing serious environmental issue. A visit to Hazara Road and Shah Johlan Road – the city’s busiest commercial area – garbage disposed of on pavements.

While the garbage heaps grow taller and the city continues to stink, the TMA seems to have buried its head in the sand, Sadaqat Ali, a trader, said.

He added the accumulation of waste in the open had caused environmental hazards in congested parts of the city.

Ghulam Haider, a trader, said that pedestrians avoid using the pavement due to the garbage and instead walk on the roads, disrupting traffic.

Sultan Mehmood, a resident of Housing Colony, said that it was difficult to walk in public spaces due to the stench of the garbage.

Residents said they had lodged a number of complaints with the civic body, but had largely been ignored.

Published in Dawn, October 17th , 2015

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