Dhanteras Glitter Lost In Bhopal's Garbage Crisis! Over 3,000 Tonnes Of Waste Pile Up Across VIP Areas, Markets And Colonies Amid Sanitation Workers' Strike

Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh - Despite a sanitation workers' strike concluding on Friday, over 3,000 tonnes of garbage amassed across Bhopal's streets throughout the three-day strike. The city typically generates between 800-900 tonnes of garbage daily, a figure that swells to 1,000 tonnes during festivals. During the strike, sanitation workers also halted water delivery via tankers, sparking a water crisis in numerous regions.

The Bhopal Municipal Corporation (BMC) failed to provide alternative measures amid the garbage crisis. Piles of trash were observed in high-profile areas such as Char Imli, Arera Colony, 10-Number Market, Gulmohar, Shahpura, Bawadiyakalan, and several markets and residential colonies. The garbage overloaded markets witnessing heavy footfall on Dhanteras.

The impact of the strike was evident throughout the city, from upscale neighborhoods to administrative centers. Garbage accumulated around the State Secretariat (Mantralaya) and Vallabh Bhawan. On Kolar Road, heaps of garbage lay for three days on the central median of a six-lane highway, near a guest house. Reports surfaced of animal carcasses scattered on the streets in Budhwara market area.

Garbage littered lanes in Professor Colony, where the Bhopal Municipal Corporation ward office is located. In 10-Number Market, garbage filled notified parking areas, troubling residents, particularly motorcyclists. Even in front of Subhash School, garbage sprawled along the road. In Bittan Market, garbage remained uncollected post-mela.

In Shahpura, garbage was burned in hilly regions, exacerbating air pollution. The sanitation workers' strike, demanding a salary increase, compassionate appointments, and an end to contract-based labor, has been ongoing for three days. Over 100,000 employees across the state are protesting these demands. Maganlal Jhanjhot, state president of the All India Sanitation Workers Trade Union, mentioned that besides sanitation workers, government department staff, including computer operators, clerical staff, water supply personnel, fire services, building permissions, anti-encroachment, electrical, mechanical, parks/gardens, and planning cells, were also on strike.