Malkangiri: The Malkangiri Municipality has shown blatant negligence and apathy toward the rural population. A massive open garbage pit has been lying unattended for a long time beside the main road connecting Goudaguda Panchayat to Malkangiri town, raising serious concerns over the responsibilities of municipal authorities.
This road is used daily by a large number of villagers, including school and college students, who are the most affected. The stench coming from the garbage is so unbearable that people are forced to cover their noses while passing. The situation is clearly visible and poses not just an inconvenience but a serious daily challenge for commuters.
Locals allege that the garbage dumped here is from municipal waste vans and also by some local residents. Now, with the arrival of the monsoon season, the situation could worsen, raising the risk of outbreaks of infectious diseases like cholera, diarrhea, malaria, etc.
While the district administration is running awareness campaigns for disease prevention, the existence of such an open garbage pit contradicts those efforts. This neglected spot has become a breeding ground for diseases like dengue, typhoid, and respiratory infections, especially affecting children and the elderly. It may soon become a serious health hazard for daily commuters.
Beyond public health, this mess is also destroying the beauty and environment of the area, prompting sharp criticism of the Malkangiri Municipality’s incompetence and negligence. Just 100 meters from this spot is Aneswar Hostel, home to many students. If a health crisis occurs, who will be held responsible?
With 1,000 to 1,500 people using this road daily, why hasn’t proper waste management been arranged yet? Is the Malkangiri Municipality avoiding its responsibilities?
Locals are demanding that the district administration take immediate notice of this problem and implement a permanent solution.