Bhubaneswar: With the talks between BMC and representatives of Daruthenga failing for third time to resolve the dumping yard issue, Bhubaneswar MP Aparajita Sarangi urged the municipality to take people into confidence to find a solution.
The MP said Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) should not speak about its problems. “People don’t want to hear your problems. They want solution of their problems. It is the duty and responsibility of the BMC to ensure comfortable living of the people,” she said.
Expressing her regret over the fact that the BMC has failed to find a solution to the dumping yard issue, she said it is unfortunate that garbage dumps continue to pile up all over the city for 17 days due to indecisive nature of the present authorities.
“BMC should take people into confidence and work unitedly. Be it mayor, commissioner or councillors, all should join ranks and hold talks with senior citizens, intellectuals, youths, women and stakeholders to find a solution,” she said.
The state government should realise that Bhubaneswar is not only the capital of Odisha but also its face. “It is visited by prominent people from all over the world everyday. Imagine what would be their impression when they see the garbage dumps all over,” she regretted.
The MP further said Daruthenga people have been opposing dumping of garbage in their village since 2008. As many as 5 panchayats – Daruthenga, Andharua, Chandaka, Raghunathpur and Dadha – and a part of Barang have been affected by the dumping yard. There have been reports of incidence of cancer going up in the area, she added.
Besides, the dumping yard has unaccounted effect on wildlife in Chandaka elephant sanctuary which is situated within 100 metre of Daruthenga.
Claiming that there was lack of coordination and sincere efforts on the part of BMC officials, Aprajita said, “When I move around the city in the morning, I don’t see supervision by any BMC officials. All the field staff should be present in their respective places from 6 am. It is obvious that there is clearly no coordination among the mayor, councillors and municipal staff.”
“When I was BMC commissioner, we worked as a team. Due to our persistent efforts, Bhubaneswar was ranked as 5th clean city in the country. But over the years, it has come down in the ranks for lack of sincerity and honest efforts on the part of BMC,” she said.
“We should be sensitive to the people’s demands. There is an atmosphere of fear in slum areas. People are being threatened of being evacuated in the name of development. The BMC should first take reahabiliation measures before evacuation,” said the MP.
