For the sixteenth day in a row, the residents of Tambakhani area in Uttarkashi have taken to the streets, staging a persistent protest against the municipal corporation's failing waste disposal system. The agitators allege severe mismanagement that has resulted in a public health nightmare, unbearable foul odour, and significant traffic disruptions.
Mounting Garbage and Rising Dangers
The core of the issue lies in the accumulating garbage, which is now directly impacting daily life. The waste pile-up near the Joshiyara motor bridge on the busy Uttarkashi-Lambgaon road is severely hampering traffic flow, causing major inconvenience to thousands of commuters. The protest took a more serious turn recently when, according to locals, a two-wheeler skidded on scattered waste on the road and met with an accident, highlighting the tangible danger posed by the negligence.
Leaders Voice Environmental and Health Concerns
Leading the movement, local activist Gopinath Rawat has vowed to continue the stir until a permanent and proper waste disposal solution is implemented. He criticized the municipal authorities for offering only empty assurances without any concrete action on the ground.
The protest has garnered political support, with Congress district president Pradeep Rawat raising a grave environmental alarm. He alleged that garbage is being illegally dumped near the sacred Bhagirathi river, and at times, the waste slips directly into the water. This not only poses a direct threat to the ecosystem but also hurts the religious sentiments of the community.
Adding to the health concerns, Uttarakhand Kranti Dal member Vishnupal Rawat pointed out that the persistent stench and filth are triggering health issues, especially among vulnerable groups like children and the elderly. He made an urgent appeal for administrative intervention to resolve the crisis.
Municipal Corporation's Response and Future Plans
In response to the allegations, Municipal Chairman Badahat Bhupendra Chauhan provided some context and a future roadmap. He stated that the town's 11 wards generate approximately 11 tonnes of waste daily. Currently, this waste is being transported to Muzaffarnagar for disposal, a temporary arrangement that seems to be failing.
Chauhan acknowledged the historical dump site near Tambakhani, which held an estimated 6,000 metric tonnes of legacy waste. He claimed that about half of it, around 3,000 metric tonnes, has been cleared, and work on the remaining is ongoing. The chairman pinned hopes on a new facility, stating that the municipality's trenching ground is under construction and is expected to be completed soon, which should alleviate the long-standing problem.
However, with the protest entering its third week, the residents of Tambakhani are demanding visible and immediate action, moving beyond promises to actual results on their streets and for their health.
