A day after Mayor Jagat Bahadur Singh Annu directed officials to ensure special cleanliness during Diwali and Chhath Puja, garbage heaps continued to lie at several places across the city. Garbage was seen piled up at various locations, including under electricity transformers. The situation has raised concerns about the Municipal Corporation’s preparedness for the major festivals. Dumping points in several areas have become a problem for nearby residents and shopkeepers. They have repeatedly complained about the garbage and demanded that such points be removed. However, their complaints have failed to bring any relief.

 

The garbage lying under transformers poses a serious safety risk. In some areas, fires have reportedly been set in garbage heaps in the past, causing panic among people. With Diwali approaching, the possibility of miscreants setting fire to garbage has raised further concerns. Residents and shopkeepers have questioned whether the Municipal Corporation and the electricity department are prepared to deal with such risks or are waiting for a major accident to take place. Despite officials visiting different parts of the city, garbage heaps remain uncleared. Even night sanitation teams have reportedly failed to remove the waste. The situation raises questions about the implementation of the civic body’s cleanliness drive at a time when the city is expected to remain clean and safe during the festive season.