While NMC claims Nagpur is moving towards top rank in ‘Swachh Survekshan’, the ground reality on Omkar Nagar to Besa Road tells a different story. A reality check by ‘The Hitavada’ on the newly constructed cement road revealed three open garbage dumps within a 500-metre patch beside of Sahyadri Lawn, adjacent to Gagandeep Society and near Chintamani Nagari. The entire stretch falls under Ward No 34. The road, which has become a lifeline for residents of Omkar Nagar, Besa and Beltarodi, is now choked with filth. Plastic, domestic waste, discarded clothes, thermocol sheets, paper and rotten food waste are dumped openly. The huge RCC drainage pipes lying on the roadside for months have turned into a convenient hideout for dumping. For morning walkers, the stretch has become a nightmare. Every day, hundreds of senior citizens, women and youth come here for walks and exercise. Instead of fresh air, they are forced to inhale foul smell. Expressing anger, Piyush Uike, a resident of Omkar Nagar, said, "We use this road daily for morning walk. But for the last few days, the stink is unbearable.

 

You cannot walk without covering your nose. It is very bad for health and NMC must act immediately before people fall sick. "Residents allege that door-to-door garbage collection vehicle is irregular and in its absence, people dump waste on the road at night. Stray animals drag the waste onto the road, making the road narrower and unsafe for pedestrians and two-wheelers. When contacted to Nagesh Mankar, Corporator of Ward No 34, he said, "During Diwali, a lot of garbage was dumped by locals. Our sanitation staff is on leave due to the festival. We will get all three points cleaned in the next two days and ensure such dumping does not happen again on the roadside. "A senior official from NMC Hanuman Nagar Zone admitted manpower shortage. "Due to Diwali, many safai workers are on leave, so collection has been affected. We have taken note of Omkar Nagar complaints. JCB and trucks will be sent tomorrow morning for clearance and bins will be placed to stop open dumping," he said. Residents have warned that if NMC fails to act now, this 500-metre stretch will soon become a second Bhandewadi yard in the heart of the city.