Lucknow: For those who have garbage dumping points near their residence, the problem goes beyond unpleasant smell. Piles of waste outside their homes breed mosquitoes and other vectors, while rainwater carries leachate into residential areas. Moreover, residents feel embarrassed inviting guests because of the unhygienic surroundings.With garbage remaining dumped for days, residents say they are forced to live with the smell and fear of vector-borne diseases. During rains, decomposing waste mixes with water, leaving dirty, foul-smelling muck flowing into or around the house. Residents seek regular lifting of garbage and cleaning of dumping points.“We keep our doors and windows closed because of the stench,” said Ved Prakash Shukla, resident of Sitapur Road.“There are mosquitoes and flies everywhere and our customers feel uncomfortable because of the stinking surroundings,” said Rashid Ali, a furniture shop owner in Raheem Nagar.Some residents said they avoid inviting relatives and friends home because of the waste lying outside their houses.“It is embarrassing when guests come and see the garbage and dirty water outside our home,” said a resident.The situation worsens during rain as water mixes with rotting waste and carries leachate into nearby lanes and residential areas.“The dirty water enters the lane whenever it rains. We have to clean it ourselves every time. Even our grandson, who lives outside the city, refuses to visit us because the conditions are so unhygienic. We have to remain indoors,” said Kamini Bisaria, a resident near Shia College.Residents repeatedly raise the issue with civic officials and seek regular lifting of garbage and cleaning of dumping points.“We want nothing special…only the garbage to be picked up on time,” said Suresh Sonkar, a resident of Puraniya in Aliganj.Umair Khan, resident of Khadra, said, “LMC vehicle dumped the garbage on a steep road, causing leachate to flow into our house. We are living in hell.”Sanjeev Pradhan, environmental officer, LMC, informed, “We are regularly monitoring dumping of open garbage and imposing fine on offenders. We are also monitoring working of companies responsible for the garbage collection and regularly raising penalties for lapses.”
