A government-run shelter home in Guwahati's Fatasil Ambari area has been battling severe sanitation problems for over three years, with improperly placed garbage bins creating health hazards and unbearable living conditions for the children residing there.
Persistent Waste Crisis at Children's Shelter
The Guwahati Municipal Corporation (GMC) placed waste bins directly outside the shelter facility as part of responsible waste management efforts. However, these bins have instead become sites for indiscriminate dumping, leading to massive garbage piles that pose significant health risks to the vulnerable children living in the shelter.
The shelter, which has capacity for 50 children, currently houses 40 youngsters who have been abandoned by their parents. These children both live and study at the facility while hoping for a better future, but the ongoing sanitation crisis threatens their wellbeing and living conditions.
Health Risks and Official Complaints
Shelter officials and children have repeatedly raised concerns about the continuous waste accumulation, stating that the bin location is inappropriate as it attracts excessive garbage and stray animals. Child Welfare Committee (CWC) chairperson Tarun Chutia, whose office operates from the shelter premises, confirmed that the situation compromises both hygiene and safety standards for the children.
"We have informed the GMC many times about the situation, but the officials have never responded," Chutia revealed. "This problem has persisted for over three years. It affects the health of the children, and the stench is unbearable, especially during the summer months."
The CWC chairperson added that even when municipal workers clear the garbage, the continued presence of the bins encourages passersby to keep dumping waste at the location, creating a cycle of pollution and health hazards.
Search for Solutions Amid Administrative Challenges
Shelter management believes that relocating the garbage bins would significantly help create a cleaner and safer environment for the children. "While proper waste disposal is essential, the proximity of the current bin has made managing sanitation more challenging," Chutia emphasized.
While the GMC mayor has not responded to the ongoing issue, ward councillor Gour Gopal Mondal acknowledged the problem and stated that proposals had been submitted to relocate the bins. However, he cited the challenge of finding suitable space within the ward as a major obstacle.
Mondal assured that steps are being taken to ensure regular clearance of the trash, though the fundamental problem of bin placement remains unresolved after three years of complaints and health concerns for the shelter's young residents.
