Raipur’s pressing waste management crisis is evident in multiple locations across the city. Amlidih Pond and Chhote Pond, once thriving water bodies, are now suffocated under heaps of trash and pollution, threatening aquatic ecosystems and natural beauty. In Kabir Nagar, an unauthorised dumping ground has emerged, with the burning of waste releasing hazardous smoke that endangers public health and exacerbates air pollution. Meanwhile, the stormwater drainage at Tatibandh Bridge remains choked with unattended garbage, leading to water stagnation and increasing the risk of flooding and waterborne diseases. These scenes highlight the urgent need for action to address Raipur’s mounting environmental challenges. (Pics by Rupesh Yadav)