Nagpur: Several residential pockets of Sahakar Nagar and adjoining localities continue to grapple with garbage piles, construction debris, and open defecation even as the 15-day environmental cleanliness drive of Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) nears its end.
Green Spaces Turned into Dumping Grounds
Several vacant plots and open grounds in Sahakar Nagar that once served as green spaces have now been converted into garbage dumping spots. Construction waste, discarded household garbage, and plastic waste were seen scattered across these areas. At several stretches, garbage was also found piled along roadsides.
Residents Express Disappointment
Resident Annapurni Venkatesh expressed disappointment over what she described as the absence of any visible impact of the civic body's cleanliness campaign. "We frequently clean the roads and areas near our homes on our own because sanitation workers do not clean them properly. If cleanliness drives are being conducted, we have not seen any improvement in Sahakar Nagar," she said.
Another resident, Pramod Senar, alleged that construction debris from civic infrastructure projects are also being dumped on open grounds in the locality. He, however, acknowledged that some residents too are responsible for the mess. "Debris from road construction works undertaken by the NMC are often dumped on these grounds. At the same time, many residents also contribute to the problem by throwing waste in open spaces instead of handing it over to garbage collection vehicles," Senar said.
Official Response
When contacted, Rishikesh Ingale, chief sanitation officer of NMC's Laxmi Nagar Zone, said he was not previously aware of the issues highlighted by residents. Responding to allegations regarding construction debris, he clarified that open grounds are sometimes temporarily designated for storing material during ongoing infrastructure works. "Such spaces may occasionally be used while projects are underway, but I will personally look into the matter," he said.
Ingale assured that an inspection would be conducted in the area and stated that strict action would be taken against instances of public urination and open defecation. He also promised to investigate complaints regarding sanitation workers allegedly failing to perform their duties and ensure that corrective measures are implemented at the earliest.
