Islamabad - Nearly 700 metric tons of garbage collected from the different areas of federal capital daily, is disposed of at a temporary dumping site in I-12 Sector along IJP Road, exposing the residents of adjoining areas to various diseases. Despite being a planned city, Islamabad does not have a garbage-dumping site.
Around 55 years have lapsed since the city was planned in 1961, the civic body - Capital Development Authority (CDA) - has failed to establish a permanent landfill site for dumping the garbage. First the garbage was dumped at a site in H-12 Sector, which has now been shifted to I-12 Sector. Thousands of people residing on southern side of the IJP Road in Rawalpindi are facing health problems due to unbearable stench of the garbage. Thick clouds of smoke released by the garbage when it is burnt in the evening make it difficult for the people of nearby localities of Allahabad, Slamanabad, Habib Colony, Aliabad and British Homes to breathe. Aslam Haider, a resident of British Homes, said it became unbearable for them to breathe due to the thick smoke compounded with stinking smell emanating from garbage.
He said the situation in nearby areas of the dumping site worsened during rain. Even light rain flooded the nearby ‘nullah’, inundating streets and roads with slush and garbage.
Abdul Karim, another resident, urged the CDA to shift the garbage-dumping site, as it was spreading different diseases among the local people.
A large number of people travelling on the IJP Road complained about foul smell and smoke while passing through this area.
When contacted, a CDA spokesman told APP that it was working to acquire a permanent place for the dumping site. He said the civil body would also consult the private sector for a permanent solution to dispose of the garbage.
He said the CDA would soon shift the dumping site to another location. The authority, he added, had earmarked around 500 kanals of land in Shah Allah Ditta area, but it had been encroached by land mafia.