Ward 19 residents say their locality now resembles a dumping ground rather than a residential area, citing accumulated garbage, damaged roads, clogged drains, and recurring electricity and drinking water supply problems. Residents allege that despite submitting multiple complaints, no lasting improvement has been made.
Garbage heaps have accumulated across the ward's streets and main roads due to irregular sanitation services. Residents say waste often remains uncleared for several days, leading to foul odours and an increase in flies and mosquitoes. They further state that conditions worsen during the monsoon, as garbage is washed into drains, causing complete blockages. According to residents, even light rainfall then results in waterlogging on roads, making it difficult for pedestrians to move.
Most roads in the area have deteriorated into pothole-ridden stretches. Residents say damaged road surfaces have created difficulties for two-wheeler and four-wheeler users. They add that rainwater collects in large potholes at several locations, increasing the risk of accidents. According to local residents, pedestrians and motorcyclists have been injured after falling into these potholes on multiple occasions.
Residents say drains have accumulated plastic waste, soil, and household garbage because of the lack of regular cleaning. As a result, wastewater flows onto roads, while stagnant dirty water remains outside several homes. They say the resulting foul smell and the risk of infectious diseases have become a concern, adding that inadequate sanitation is also affecting the health of children and elderly residents.
Residents have also expressed dissatisfaction over electricity and drinking water supply. They say repeated power outages occur in several parts of the ward, causing inconvenience during the summer season. They further state that adequate drinking water is not being supplied in several neighbourhoods, forcing people to wait for long periods to collect water or arrange alternative sources.
According to residents, written and verbal complaints have been submitted several times to the municipal corporation and the concerned departments, but no permanent solution has been implemented. They say sanitation drives are conducted occasionally, but the absence of regular maintenance causes conditions to return to their previous state within a few days.
Traders in the area say poor sanitation and damaged roads have affected customer movement. They add that waterlogging in front of shops during the monsoon also affects business activities. Schoolchildren and office commuters, they say, continue to face daily difficulties because of these conditions.
Health experts state that prolonged accumulation of garbage and stagnant wastewater in drains can increase the risk of dengue, malaria, chikungunya, and other infectious diseases. They say regular sanitation, timely garbage collection, and proper drainage maintenance are necessary.
Residents have urged the municipal corporation and the administration to conduct a special sanitation drive in Ward 19, ensure regular garbage collection, repair damaged roads, clean drains, and provide permanent solutions to electricity and drinking water supply issues. They say that if these problems are not addressed in time, conditions could worsen during the monsoon season.
