Palampur reeks of negligence as no garbage disposal system in place

Ravinder Sood

Palampur, December 29

With huge garbage dumps on the three entry points of the town greeting visitors, Palampur depicts a sorry picture as a tourist destination.

The foul smell emanating from the dumps near Villa Camellia, SSB Chowk and SM Convention centre, which connects Palampur with several highways, makes the situation worse. Though the administration is aware of the situation, no steps have been initiated so far in this regard.

The Palampur Municipal Council is the smallest in the state spread over only one kilometre with a population of 3,500. But, major population of the town resides in panchayat areas where there is no garbage disposal arrangement. So, people dump waste on the roadside, forests and in water bodies. Though the second phase of the Swachh Bharat Mission is being carried out in Palampur, the first phase has failed to give the desired results.

Despite spending crores under the scheme, there seems to be no effect in the town and its satellite areas.

The government had announced to set up a Municipal Corporation at Palampur for which a draft plan was also approved and a Bill prepared to be presented in the Vidhan Sabha. But it was withdrawn at the last minute by the government.

In the absence of extension of the MC limits and formation of the Municipal Corporation, the state agencies have failed to make proper arrangements for the disposal of garbage in 12 adjoining panchayats of Palampur that have been urbanised.

In the absence of any arrangements for the treatment and disposal of garbage, most water channels and forests here have turned into garbage dumps, resulting in contamination of water. The High Court has already taken cognisance of the matter and asked the administration to submit a status report.

Many local residents have thrown open their sewerage into water channels, making the matter worse.

Courtesy: Tribune News Service