Allahabad HC pulls up civic body over garbage dumping near Kabir temple

The Allahabad High Court has directed Lucknow civic authorities to explore relocating an open garbage dumping site near Kabir temple in Madiaon and installing a compactor. The court stressed immediate hygiene measures, calling the visible waste and stench unacceptable

Lucknow: The Allahabad High Court on Tuesday took strong exception to the dumping of garbage in the open along a roadside near Kabir temple in the Madiaon area, and directed the municipal commissioner to explore shifting the dumping site to an alternative location.

A Lucknow bench of Justices Rajan Roy and Syed Qamar Hasan Rizvi also directed the Lucknow Municipal Corporation to explore the feasibility of installing a compactor at the site and find a permanent solution to the problem.

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Till a permanent solution is implemented, the civic authorities have been directed to take temporary measures to ensure the health and hygiene of people living in the area and passersby. The court passed the order while hearing a public interest litigation filed by a local resident, Kuldeep. The matter has been listed for further hearing on September 30. The petitioner alleged that municipal employees were dumping garbage in an open space in front of Kabir temple in Brahm Nagar, Madiaon, resulting in unhygienic conditions and foul smell in the locality.

During the hearing, the municipal corporation placed photographs before the court. After examining them, the bench observed that the situation appeared to be worse than what had been stated in the petition, with garbage scattered over open land adjoining the road and clearly visible. “Certainly, the filth and stench emanating from it would adversely affect the health and hygiene of the people living in the area as also those passing by,” the court observed.

Counsel for the municipal corporation submitted that the garbage was not being dumped in a residential area but along the highway. The bench, however, said the contention was inconsequential, observing that dumping garbage in such a manner near a road could not be accepted under any circumstances.