Similar sentiments were echoed by another resident of the city, Manohar Singh, who said the illegal dumping ground near Sector 23 goes to prove the malfunctioning of the council. “The entire area in that sector has been converted into an illegal dumping ground. The garbage of the entire city is thrown there. While that is the only route that can be taken to approach the sectors across the Ghaggar, it is horrible to pass that way because you see the roads strewn with garbage,” added Singh, a resident of Sector 14.

Rakesh Sharma, a resident of Sector 4, said staying so close to Haripur village was a big nuisance as stray cattle from the village scatter the garbage all around, turning the sector into a village. “Many a times we have asked the MC for timely clearing of the overflowing dustbins, but it has always fallen on deaf ears,” added Sharma.

MC efforts

MC officials, on the other hand, claim the situation was bad only till a few months ago. They say the situation has improved vastly now. “Sanitation has really improved ever since the new contractor took over charge a few months ago. With around 315 workers, a large number of specialised vehicles have been provided for garbage collection like two refuge collectors. Two dumper placers, one tractor trolley and a JCB machine called Bob Cat work to collect all the trash from the city,” said O P Sihag, executive office, MC. He added that around 70 to 80 tonnes of garbage is generated in the city on a daily basis and all efforts are being made to make the city cleaner.