Guwahati: Despite repeated cleanliness drives and efforts by the Guwahati Municipal Corporation (GMC) to improve waste management, open dumping remains a concern in several parts of the city. Residents have pointed to poorly lit streets, vacant plots and isolated corners being used as convenient dumping spots.Residents have raised concerns about areas such as Beltola, Panjabari, Paltan Bazar and Fatasil Ambari, alleging that passers-by take advantage of the darkness to dispose of household waste in public spaces.The GMC has been carrying out regular waste collection and sanitation drives as part of its efforts to keep the city clean. However, indiscriminate dumping at vulnerable locations continues to pose a challenge.“We are looking at the possibility of installing CCTV cameras at garbage-vulnerable points across the city to monitor illegal dumping. While the GMC is making regular efforts to ensure proper waste collection and maintain cleanliness, public cooperation is equally important. People must refrain from dumping garbage in open spaces, drains and wetlands. Surveillance will help us identify violators and take necessary action against them,” a GMC official said.On Bilpar Road, Borsola Beel, a 25-acre urban wetland, has increasingly become a dumping ground, with residents alleging that large quantities of waste are being disposed of in its waters under the cover of darkness. The wetland, which forms part of Bharalu river channel, is already heavily polluted and serves as a catchment point for several drains.“The area is already dirty, and people throw garbage bags and other packets into the wetland, further adding to the pollution. As a result, mosquitoes and other insects breed in the stagnant water, creating unhygienic conditions for those living nearby. The foul smell has also become a concern. Despite being an important part of the city’s drainage system, the wetland has been reduced to a dumping ground,” said Bipul Chetry, a resident of Chatribari.Similar concerns have been reported from parts of Panjabari and Six Mile, where garbage bags are left along roadside stretches.“While garbage is picked up regularly, people still resort to indiscriminate dumping in the wetland, which is located close to the Srimanta Sankaradeva Kalakshetra auditorium. Despite regular cleaning efforts, the lack of civic sense among some residents and visitors has contributed to the persistent problem,” said Kunal Baruah, a nearby resident.
