Warangalites demand shifting of dump yard

WARANGAL: The Kakatiya Solid Waste Management Park at Rampur on the outskirts of the city is causing serious environmental pollution in the surrounding villages and stands as a threat to the entire Warangal city. Around 240 tonnes of garbage is being dumped in this 30-acre yard every day. In addition to this, biomedical waste from the hospitals is also being dumped here. Unfortunately there is no proper method being applied to dispose the garbage.

“The garbage is being burnt every day and the smoke moves towards Madikonda, Rampur, Narsingaraopalli, Diesel Colony, Elkurthi, all villages which are less than a kilometre away. Due to the winter season, the smoke gets mixed with fog during the night and the early hours making it hard for us to breathe. The elders are the most affected with respiratory problems, asthma and skin allergies,”’ lamented Mr Thotla Raju, corporator, division 33.

The ORR proposed for Warangal passes right besides the compound wall of the dump yard. It is quite possible that the rising smoke could pose a threat to the motorists with a high risk of accidents being caused. Apart from the villages, there are two gurukul schools, the IT Park and some private schools in the vicinity of the dump yard. 

The dump yard is also posing a threat to the citizens of Warangal. The liquid waste from the yard is flowing into the Waddepalli tank via Madikonda Lake and Somidi Lake during the rainy season. The Waddepalli is a drinking water resource for Warangal. About one lakh fish in Madikonda Lake have died due to the pollution of the lake recently. The underground water is also getting contaminated.

The villagers have been demanding that the GWMC should shift the dumping yard away from the city or at least use proper scientific methods to treat the garbage. “Before this yard was set up, we used to breathe fresh air from the agricultural fields and the orchards. Now we are breathing contaminated air. The GWMC must shift the dumping yard away from our villages. Proper scientific methods should be followed for the waste management,” demanded A. Devender of Rampur.

Villagers are now questioning MLA T. Rajaiah and the Deputy CM K. Srihari, who had both promised to shift the dumping yard elsewhere but so far have not done anything regarding this.