The Citizen Forum, a civil society body, expressed serious concern over the weak waste and sanitation management in urban pockets of Baleswar district at a meeting held here on Thursday.
Members alleged that solid wastes dumped on the roadsides were creating pollution and health hazards and giving a shabby look to the city.
Devasish Mahanty, a member, said while population of the city has risen from 1.18 lakh in 2011 to near 1.5 lakh, daily garbage production has also increased comparatively.
“About 80-100 tonnes of solid waste is generated daily mainly from vegetable markets, roadside and makeshift shops. These waste are being dumped on the roadsides and at times into the drains. The municipal authorities have failed to waste manage dumping,” said Mahanty.
The solid waste collected from different pockets by the municipality is dumped near Chunbhati, a residential area in the town. The careless dumping has created environment and water pollution in the area.
“The municipality has been urged to identify a land for dumping the solid waste many times but till now nothing has been done. Further, it is found that there are no adequate sweepers engaged in the sanitation work,” said another member of forum.
He demanded that the municipality authorities should take up steps for well management of wastes and to keep the town clean on a priority basis.