PULWAMA DIARY | Dumping site and a battered street

Dumping site irks residents, shopkeepers

A dumping site at Pulwama’s Circular Road area has become a cause of nuisance for the residents and shopkeepers of the locality.

An overpowering stench emanating from a mountain of muck forces the residents to keep their windows shut.

The locals said that the foul smell, which pervades round the clock, has made their lives miserable.
Shuja Sultan, a resident, said that respiratory infections and allergies were common among the residents living around the site.

“The site also invited dozens of canines, posing a threat to the residents and passersby,” Sultan said.
A shopkeeper in the area said that the site was taking a toll on their business.

“A customer can't stay here for a second without holding his nose,” he said.

A short walk from the dumping site is the Government Degree College for Women.

The stench also permeates the college, causing inconvenience to both the students and the faculty.

Talking to Greater Kashmir, Executive Officer Municipal Council Pulwama, Wali Muhammad said that efforts to shift the site were underway.

“It will hardly take us two months to shift the site,” he said.

A battered street

A dilapidated street in south Kashmir’s Pulwama town causes immense hardships to both commuters and residents.

The street, linking Chudiyan Market with Court Road, has developed potholes and uneven surfaces, posing a significant challenge to pedestrians and residents, particularly during inclement weather.

“A few minutes of rain turns the street into a cesspool,” said Arjumand Ahmad, a resident.

He said that the street offers a glaring instance of the authorities’ neglect.

“It has not been repaired for the last many years,” Ahmad said.

A local shopkeeper said that the street was very crucial as it witnesses significant foot traffic and serves as a connecting link between two markets.

Both the residents and the shopkeepers in the area appealed to the authorities to repair the street forthwith.