Jaipur: The strike by Valmiki sanitation workers entered its fourth day Tuesday, with its impact becoming increasingly visible across the city. Garbage has started piling up across Jaipur as door-to-door waste collection remained severely disruptedResidents in several localities have been forced to dump household waste along roadsides, leading to makeshift garbage dumps in the Walled City, Civil Lines, Sanganer, Haripura and Sodala. The accumulating waste has raised concerns over foul smell, hygiene and traffic congestion.The situation is particularly difficult in the Walled City, where garbage that was earlier confined to narrow lanes has spilled onto main roads. Outside Ajmeri Gate, a large heap of waste has remained uncleared for four days, worrying traders who fear it could leave a poor impression on tourists visiting Jaipur’s heritage markets.The Jaipur Municipal Corporation has initiated contingency measures to manage the crisis. Additional Commissioner Narendra Kumar Bansal said, “Notices have been issued to all contractual sanitation workers directing them to ensure 100% attendance during the strike. Non-Valmiki sanitation workers have also been instructed to remain present in the field. These directions have been issued zone-wise.”Residents, however, say the alternative arrangements have done little to ease the situation. “No garbage hooper has visited our area since the strike began. We waited for two days, but eventually we had no option except to throw the waste on the roadside. Now the foul smell has become unbearable,” said Shahjaan, a resident of Jagannath Shah Ji Ka Rasta.Another resident, Salim Umrideen, said, “The corporation is operating mechanical sweeping machines on the main roads during the day, but that only adds to traffic congestion. The machines cannot clear the heaps of garbage lying across different localities.”The civic body has deployed mechanical sweeping machines in the Bais Godam Flyover area, C-Scheme, Janpath, Gopalpura and Triveni Nagar. Residents, however, say the machines cannot replace manual waste collection and have slowed traffic during peak hours.With the strike showing no signs of ending, garbage continues to accumulate across the city, leaving residents and traders concerned about public health and Jaipur’s image.
