Garbage transfer station causes health concerns

The presence of an illegal garbage transfer station in the heart of one of Rawalpindi's densely populated areas has become a source of significant distress for residents.

The dumping ground, which receives waste from all over the city, has turned into a public health hazard, impacting those living and working nearby.

The areas surrounding these garbage transfer station, including prominent institutions like the historic Gordon College, the National College of Arts, and various wholesale markets, suffer from the adverse effects of the uncontained waste. The stench from the depot has made life unbearable for everyone in the vicinity, including government bodies responsible for city cleanliness, such as the Rawalpindi Municipal Corporation, WASA, and Rawalpindi Solid Waste Management Company (RSWMC).

The health implications are dire, with residents and workers in nearby areas reporting an increase in colds, cancer, tuberculosis, hepatitis, and skin and eye inflammations due to prolonged exposure to the filth.

The situation worsens during the rainy season when the smell becomes overwhelmingly pungent, depriving adjacent residents of sleep and peace of mind.

This garbage transfer station is under the control of the RSWMC. Garbage collected from across the city is brought here, compacted, weighed, and then transported to a central garbage depot spanning 1,000 kanals in Losar Rawat, far from the city centre. The stench from this transfer station permeates a two-kilometre radius, affecting even the top officers of RWMC, who often cannot endure the odour long enough to stay in their offices.

In a bid to escape the stench, adjacent government offices, including those of the Municipal Corporation, WASA, RDA, PHA, Mini Sports Complex, and the Pakistan Medical Association, have installed "airtight" systems. However, these measures offer only temporary relief, as the pervasive smell continues to affect their daily operations.

Students at NCA have reported severe mental distress due to the smell, while students at Gordon College face similar challenges. Schools along Murree Road and Liaquat Road,

Local government officials are regularly briefed on the situation.

However, they appear helpless, often leaving the area quickly to escape the stench during their visits.

The garbage depot's operations were initially managed by Al Bayrak, a Turkish company, under a seven-year contract worth Rs8 billion. After the contract ended, management was transferred to the Punjab government. The depot has been operational for over 10 years, serving as a collection point for garbage from across the city before it is weighed and transported to the central depot at Losar Rawat.

Dr Inayat, Deputy Medical Superintendent of Benazir Bhutto General Hospital, warns that the depot also handles hazardous medical waste, exacerbating the health risks. He stresses the urgent need to move the garbage depot for the sake of public health.