Dugri Dump Fuels Health Crisis Near School

Residents in Phase 2, Dugri, are facing severe health and hygiene issues due to an unauthorised garbage dump on a private plot behind a local school. This plot has gradually transformed into a dumping ground over the past few years, leading to persistent foul odors and a significant increase in mosquito breeding. A school official reported that the stench permeates the school grounds, particularly during rainfall, raising concerns about vector-borne diseases. The situation escalated during the summer when the garbage pile, bordering the school, caught fire, requiring intervention from the fire department and school staff.

Despite previous complaints leading to temporary cleanups, garbage accumulation has resumed rapidly. Local residents, including Jaswinder Singh Shammi, who resides opposite the plot, describe the smell as unbearable and the mosquito problem as constant, especially exacerbated during the monsoon season. Greater Ludhiana Area Development Authority (GLADA) chief administrator Vikas Hira clarified that the plot is private property, shifting responsibility. However, he assured that GLADA officials would investigate and coordinate efforts to clear the accumulated waste, prioritizing public health and community convenience.