Lucknow: Open and blatant garbage dumping continues in several parts of the city despite claims of regular waste collection, a reality check by Times of India found. Areas including Indiranagar, Khadra, Aliganj and Gomtinagar were seen littered with heaps of garbage dumped in the open, causing foul smell and inconvenience to residents, pedestrians and commuters.Despite claims by Lucknow Municipal Corporation, piles of household waste, plastic and rotting garbage were found lying unattended for days in many localities. Garbage was seen dumped along roadsides, near vacant plots and beside drains, raising concerns over sanitation ahead of the monsoon season.Residents alleged that door-to-door garbage collection was irregular in several colonies, forcing many people to dispose of waste in the open. “Garbage collection vehicles skip our area for days. People have no option but to dump waste outside,” said Rajesh Verma, resident of Indiranagar.Another resident of the area, Sarvesh Singh, said, “Now, garbage is being dumped in a new spot every day; you can find garbage dumped even in spots where it was never dumped before.”In Khadra, residents complained that garbage often remains uncleared for several days. “Dumping site near our lane keeps growing and stray animals scatter the waste further,” said Shabana Khan, a local resident.Kamini Bisari, resident on Sitapur Road, lamented, “Garbage is dumped right in front of my house. Several times we have complained to authorities but no one ever comes to see the situation, even though it is a national highway.”Aliganj residents said garbage piles had become a routine problem. “Despite repeated complaints, waste continues to pile up near the roadside and raises a stench throughout the day,” said Anil Srivastava, a resident of Aliganj.Residents of Gomtinagar too raised concerns over irregular waste lifting. “Garbage is dumped near vacant plots and drains, especially during evenings when collection vehicles do not arrive,” said Neha Singh, resident of Gomtinagar.Mayor Sushma Kharakwal said, “We are conducting regular drives for cleanliness and also imposing fine on people throwing garbage in the open. We have directed all zonal officers and sanitary inspectors to conduct surveys in each ward and maintain cleanliness.”Locals across these areas demanded stricter monitoring of waste collection agencies and regular lifting of garbage to prevent health hazards and mosquito breeding ahead of the monsoon season.
