The residents of Islamabad have urged the Capital Development Authority (CDA) to adopt a comprehensive mechanism for proper collection and disposal of solid waste, as heaps of rubbish are posing serious threat to the health of citizens. The residents of various areas of the capital told APP that heaps of garbage could be seen every where in different areas of Sohan, Faizabad and New Shakaryal.
Raja Mushtaq, a senior citizen, said that residents of Faizabad and Sohan were facing foul stench, emanating from garbage heaps resulting in air pollution. Burning of plastic bags and other waste material also pollutes air, causing respiratory and other diseases.
"CDA has been oblivious to this problem over the years and heaps of garbage have become a permanent source of nuisance for the residents," he added.
Kashif Raja, a resident of Khunna Pul, said the issue of waste disposal required immediate attention of the authorities.
He said sanitary workers instead of removing the garbage, used to collect and dump and incinerate the waste on roadside. This caused more trouble to the residents, especially the elders suffering from a range of ailments.
A senior official of the civic body in municipal wing said people in these areas were used to dump solid waste at improper places despite availability of CDA dustbins. He said that huge piles of rubbish could be seen everywhere even in front of these dustbins.
He said that most of the waste generated in these areas was dumped on streets or some unauthorised sites like vacant plots, which created difficulty for CDA workers.
Federal Government Poly Clinic (FGPC) Executive Director Dr Zahid told APP that untreated and improper disposal of waste was causing ailments and serious hazards to human health in the various areas of the capital.
He said that residents of the areas where there was no proper waste disposal method, suffered from infectious diseases like Hepatitis and respiratory disorders.
Dr Zahid further said that plastic waste accumulating on the roadsides in Faizabad and Pirwadhai areas was posing serious threats to the health of citizens.
Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) house job practitioner Dr Misbah Yawar told APP that fumes emanating from the burning plastic waste could cause respiratory trouble.
The CDA officials have also complained of the ignorance of the residents who usually throw the waste in streets and sewerage often choking the drains.
"We are doing our bit but it is shared responsibility of ours and the residents to keep cities and waste courses clean.
The citizens must also fulfil their responsibility," he said.