Suhail Rather
Bandipora, August 31(KNS): Residents across several areas of Bandipora have raised serious concerns over the sanitation arrangements in the town, alleging that cleaning activity is largely concentrated on the main roads and market areas, while several wards, inner lanes and residential localities remain unattended.
According to residents, sweepers are regularly seen cleaning the main market and prominent roads, but sanitation services are allegedly irregular or absent in several interior areas. Some residents claimed that sanitation workers visit their localities only once in several weeks, and in some cases, nearly a month passes between cleaning visits.
The residents have questioned the functioning of the Municipal Council Bandipora and demanded to know whether all wards are being covered under a regular sanitation schedule.
Residents alleged that while the main roads may receive routine cleaning, several inner lanes and residential lanes continue to remain neglected. Accumulated waste, grass and other debris have reportedly affected drainage channels in different localities.
The condition of drains in Papchan has emerged as a particular concern, with residents alleging that several drains are choked with grass and require immediate cleaning.
“Our drains are full of grass. We have requested the authorities many times to get the grass removed, but all our requests have gone in vain,” said Ubaid, a resident of Papchan.
Residents said that clogged drains could create serious inconvenience during rainfall by obstructing the flow of water and increasing the risk of waterlogging in the locality.
Similar grievances have been raised from Pathan Mohalla, Kaloosa, where residents claim that repeated complaints regarding sanitation have failed to bring any substantial improvement.
Irfan, a resident, alleged that he had visited the concerned office several times and also contacted the concerned officer over the issue.
“I have visited the office many times and called the concerned officer several times, but the issue remains unresolved,” he said.
Residents have questioned why sanitation activity appears to be more visible along the main roads and market areas while several inner wards allegedly remain outside the regular cleaning cycle.
They said that cleanliness of a town cannot be measured only by the condition of its main market and roads, as residents of interior wards are equally dependent on proper municipal sanitation services.
Locals have urged the Municipal Committee to make its sanitation arrangements more transparent by preparing and publicly monitoring a ward-wise cleaning schedule, ensuring that every locality receives regular attention.
Amid the complaints, residents have demanded a probe into the functioning of the sanitation system and deployment of sanitation workers in Bandipora.
They have urged the authorities to verify the number of workers deployed, their assigned areas, attendance, daily duties and frequency of visits to different wards.
Residents also want the administration to examine whether complaints received from the public are being properly recorded and followed up.
The residents have appealed to the Deputy Commissioner Bandipora to take cognisance of the issue and direct a ground-level inspection of sanitation arrangements across the town.
They have sought immediate cleaning of the clogged drains in Papchan and other affected areas, removal of overgrown grass and debris, and regular cleaning of inner roads and residential lanes.
Residents said that municipal sanitation must extend beyond the main market and major roads and reach every ward and residential locality.
They have further demanded accountability and regular monitoring so that sanitation workers are deployed across all designated areas rather than remaining concentrated around prominent locations.
The residents expressed hope that the administration will intervene and ensure that Bandipora gets a comprehensive, transparent and ward-wise sanitation system, with equal attention to both its main roads and interior localities. (KNS)