Civic Mail Hyderabad

Residents resort to burning garbage due to Dammaiguda Municipality’s neglect

Dammaiguda Garbage Burning

Hyderabad: Residents of Sri Lakshmi Nagar, Ps Rao Road no 9B, Dammaiguda, are burning their garbage due to neglect by the Dammaiguda Municipality Corporation authorities. Trash collection only occurs every 15 days, leaving residents to pile up garbage with no collection in sight. Fearing health hazards from overflowing trash, residents have resorted to burning it.

Srikhande Umesh Kumar, an RTI activist and resident, spoke to the ‘Hyderabad Mail’ about his efforts to educate the community. “Since arriving in Dammaiguda in 2021, I have informed many residents about the dangers of burning waste,” he said. “Many understand the negative impact on our health and environment, especially considering the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Inhaling pollution from burning plastic and waste can further damage our health. Those who previously burned garbage understood this explanation.”

Despite Umesh Kumar’s repeated complaints to the commissioner and sanitation officer, the response has been underwhelming. The commissioner’s promise of an inspection never materialized, leaving the community frustrated and neglected.

Umesh said that sanitation staff last collected garbage from drains 15 days ago but left it on the streets uncollected. He also revealed a disturbing fact: sanitation staff themselves sometimes burn garbage illegally within the locality. This, combined with the lack of control over the exorbitant garbage collection fees charged by collectors, highlights the urgent need for action and accountability.

Umesh Kumar further revealed that a sanitation officer threatened him after he complained and reminded them of their duties. Following his complaint, the officer was transferred but inexplicably returned to the same location.
Prabhu, the Sanitation Inspector of Dammaiguda, responded by saying, “Garbage cleaning doesn’t normally take 15 days. We will reinspect that particular area.”

Umesh Kumar took to social media ‘X’ and posted, “If there were an award for the worst health and sanitation conditions, Dammaiguda Municipality would undoubtedly win. People are openly burning garbage, and despite complaints, not a single penalty has been imposed.”