Jaipur: With Diwali approaching, repeated strikes by garbage hopper drivers and helpers have disrupted waste collection in Kishanpole zone, covering a large part of the Walled City. The workers have gone on strike five to six times in the past 15 days, affecting sanitation at a time when the area needs extra attention. The strike continued Friday, with workers announcing that they would stay off duty Saturday as well.The disruption has added to the challenges of keeping the narrow lanes clean during the festive season. The area also sees a steady flow of tourists, making poor sanitation a concern for residents, traders and visitors alike. Repeated stoppages have left the municipal corporation struggling to maintain regular waste collection.Councillors have written to Kishanpole zone deputy commissioner Niharika Sharma and Jaipur Municipal Corporation commissioner Om Kasera, raising concerns over the situation.“Strikes by hopper workers during the festive season and piles of garbage in the lanes have become a major problem. The deputy commissioner is not listening to us, while residents are questioning us,” said Ward 113 councillor Gajanfar Ali.Mohammad Zakariya, councillor from Ward 114, said the problem had persisted for the past 15 days, with no lasting solution in sight. “We have been struggling for the past 15 days. The mayor himself comes from Kishanpole zone, but he too has failed to find a solution. The work we carried out during the previous term seems to be deteriorating within just a month of the new term,” he said.Municipal commissioner Om Kasera said officials had spoken to the sanitation workers and were trying to resolve the issue over experience certificates.Mayor Sunil Kothari said he had learnt about the repeated strikes Friday. “We are discussing the matter and trying to understand the actual problem so that it can be resolved,” he said.
