Citizens lament LWMC’s failure to keep city clean

–Overflowing dumpsters, subsequent outbreak of diseases spell misery for locals

LAHORE: The Lahore Waste Management Company (LWMC) has failed to maintain cleanliness across the city as heaps of garbage have started to gradually take over most parts of the provincial capital while spelling misery for the residents and resulting in the outbreak of diseases due to the lack of hygiene.

According to a survey conducted by Pakistan Today, among the most affected areas where the locals are suffering owing to the negligence of the LWMC are parts of Gulberg, Makkah Colony, Icchra, Lohari, Bhaati and other densely populated parts such as Kacha Lawrence road, Guru Mangat Road, Sanda, Gulshane Ravi, Band Road, Township and Rehmanpura.

Huge piles of solid waste can be seen in the areas, especially next to public parks, in open spaces and by roadsides whereas dumpsters too have started to overflow.

“The janitorial staff of LWMC hardly ever visits the area,” a resident of Gulberg III, Afnan Afzal Malik told Pakistan Today. He said that LWMC’s negligence was resulting in the outbreak of serious infections and a number of children had fallen sick as well. “The company’s enforcement team should keep a check on its staff.”

Mukhtar Bibi of Makkah Colony said that they were suffering due to the heaps of stinky garbage.

“Maintaining cleanliness is one of the government’s prime responsibility but it doesn’t appear to be doing anything in this regard. The dumpsters in our area have started to overflow but no one is bothering to do anything,” she said and added that it was regrettable how garbage tax was on cards amid such poor hygiene conditions due to the incompetence of LWMC.

A local of Icchra, Amjad Mehmood, said that they had registered several complaints with LWMC but no action was taken. “Our area is one of the prime locations of Lahore and yet, it being flooded with garbage doesn’t concern the authorities.”

“Thousands of people visit the Icchra Bazaar on a daily basis and heaps of garbage on nearly all roads is adversely affecting our businesses. Students are also suffering because of all the waste lying around their schools.”

A student from Gulshane Ravi said, “Garbage is not being collected on time, which is polluting the environment. Health of thousands is at risk and dozens are suffering from diseases being spread because of the government’s failure to ensure solid waste management.”

He added that the disgusting odor had entered nearby houses and shops and was adding to the miseries of the people.

LWMC spokesperson Jamil Khawar told this scribe that their teams were working hard and putting in all their efforts to clean the city up. “Most of the sanitary workers belong to the Christian community and were on leave due to Christmas and New Year celebrations. But they are back now and all the complaints will be resolved at the earliest,” he said.