NARENDRA RAUT, OP
Semiliguda: Uncollected garbage piled up near Jagannath Kalyan Mandap in front of CNC Hotel along the National Highway 26 in Semiliguda town of Koraput district has become a pressing concern for residents as the municipality continues to neglect its responsibility of maintaining cleanliness and hygiene.
The unattended waste has become more than just an eyesore. It is attracting stray animals such as cows and dogs, creating serious risks for commuters on the increasingly congested highway.
With speeding vehicles and animals roaming near the garbage pile, residents fear a serious accident could happen at any moment.
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“This is no longer just a hygiene issue. It’s turning into a safety threat,” said R Narayan Rao, a local resident. “Every day, we see cows eating plastic, dogs fighting over scraps, and even children forced to walk dangerously close to the highway just to avoid the foul smell.”
“The stench is unbearable, the animals have become aggressive, and people are falling sick,” said Namita Patra, who lives about 200 metres from the garbage pile.
“It feels like no one is listening to us,” she alleged, adding that residents have lodged multiple complaints with municipal staff responsible for cleaning, but no concrete action has been taken.
Owing to humid and rainy weather, the situation has worsened, turning the area into a breeding ground for flies, mosquitoes, and airborne diseases.
Responding to the growing concerns, Sujit Choudhary, executive officer of Sunabeda Municipality, said, “The issue of uncollected garbage along the national highway at the said location has been taken into consideration. A proper dustbin will be installed at the site immediately to ensure systematic disposal of waste.
Additionally, I will personally review the work of the contractor assigned by the municipality to ensure accountability and strict adherence to cleanliness standards,” he said.
Community members, however, remain cautious. Until the promises translate into visible action, the garbage continues to rot, stray animals roam dangerously close to fast-moving traffic, and residents are left to endure the mess and the silence from those in charge.
PNN
