MCD strike day 7: Filth piles up in East Delhi, garbage burning rears head : Indian Express

On day seven of the strike, street corners were strewn with equal amounts of dry and wet waste. Several open drains were packed and dust on the roads assaulted the senses.

East Delhi residents have a fight on their hands. It is a fight to ignore piles of garbage and block the stench. The Indian Express visited Preet Vihar, Azad Nagar, Kanti Nagar, Patparganj, Krishna nagar and other areas in East Delhi Tuesday, as the strike by municipal corporation employees demanding salaries, arrears and unification of the civic bodies completed a week.

The areas, like other parts of the capital, are facing the backlash of sanitation workers’ agitation. PWD department has chipped in to clean the garbage, but residents worry about how long such measures will help.

On day seven of the strike, street corners were strewn with equal amounts of dry and wet waste. Several open drains were packed and dust on the roads assaulted the senses.

B S Vohra, president of the East Delhi Resident Welfare Associations’ Joint Front, said people in East Delhi were no stranger to streets and drains packed with filth. “This is the third time in the last year that the workers have gone on strike. On both previous occasions, the area seemed like a sea of garbage. It is the same again this time. Sad as it is to say, it is actually good that students of MCD-run schools do not have working days at present because heaps of garbage are right outside these schools.”

Another worrying factor for residents is people are reportedly burning garbage in an open drain between Krishna nagar and Azad Nagar. Vohra said, “As a result of there being no workers to clear the waste, several residents have resorted to burning small piles of garbage at street corners at night, and even bigger piles in the open drain. This is against the orders passed by the National Green Tribunal and is nullifying the mild changes that the odd-even scheme brought about in the area.”

Rinku, who sells samosas and chai from a cart not far from the open drain, said, “The area has started to smell too much for people to feel like taking their chai break here. I experienced the same thing the last time the sanitation workers went on strike. But, no one can fault the workers. If I do not get paid, even I would not work.”

Residents of the area also have concerns about children’s health. “I have heard many of my neighbours complaining about their children falling sick, especially in the last week. These are neighbours who can afford private hospitals. Considering that MCD hospital staff are also on strike, I cannot imagine what the state of affairs is for those who rely on them,” said Anil Sindhwani, a resident.

with thanks : Indian Express : LINK