Residents of Dhantoli are irked over an open garbage dump thriving right next to Neuron Hospital, turning a hospital zone into a health hazard. During a ground visit by ‘The Hitavada’, the open plot adjoining the hospital was found filled with broken bricks, cement bags, plastic sheets, discarded medicine wrappers and kitchen waste. Foul smell pervades the area and flies and mosquitoes hover over the heap.

 

Weeds have grown over unattended debris and a tin shed stands in the middle of the trash. What has angered locals is that dumping has been going on for months. “We live just 50 metres from this dump. Every evening the stench becomes unbearable and we cannot even open windows. My children have developed skin allergy and cough due to flies coming from this garbage,” said Sunita Raut, a resident of Dhantoli. Another resident pointed to the risk for patients. “This is a hospital area. Patients come here for treatment but outside there is infection everywhere. Ambulances, visitors and even food stalls are next to this garbage. NMC should declare 100 metres around hospitals as no-dumping zone,” said Prakash Mendhe, a senior citizen from Dhantoli.

 

Locals alleged that contractors dump construction debris at night while sanitation workers ignore household waste collection. Stray dogs and cattle rummaging through the dump scatter waste further onto the road. Residents have demanded immediate clearance of the plot, barricading with tin sheets and penalty on illegal dumpers. They have also urged the NMC health department to conduct regular inspection of hospital surroundings under Solid Waste Management Rules. If NMC cannot keep a hospital surroundings clean in a prime area like Dhantoli, its tall claims on Swachh Nagpur ring hollow, residents said.