Inside story: Who removed AFE garbage dump?
Since the removal of the garbage dump from Abul Fazal Enclave, politics has heated up in the locality, with many Congress critics claiming otherwise.
The debate was triggered after Councillor Ariba Khan and her father Asif Md Khan, former MLA of Okhla, did a Facebook Live claiming that they had cleaned the garbage dump. Their works got praising from across the locality as residents were deeply upset with garbage dumping in the open.
After the video was posted by the OT, it solicited several positive comments; however, among them were some who made efforts to debunk the Congress leaders’ claim.
AAP worker Sibgatullah Khan wrote: “The work has been done by UP Irrigation, as its building is coming up, and its main gate is there.”
Another user, Mohd Zahid, wrote: “This is dirty politics. The garbage has been removed due to a new official building coming up, but some leaders are taking credit for the work.”
An insider aware of the development, who requested anonymity, said for months, talks were ongoing between officials and Asif Md Khan over the garbage dump. And only when we got a temporary new place in Jasola, a decision was taken that the area should be cleaned as the new government building gate is there.
On Friday morning, another Congress leader, Advocate Aarfa Khanam, said she is going to the spot for plantation drive.
She said the plantation drive work is being done by the UP Irrigation Department, as the spot comes under their jurisdiction.
Aarfa said for the last two months she has been in touch with the irrigation department officials who were hell-bent on bringing an end to the garbage dump on the roadside in front of Al Shifa Hospital and the girls’ school.
“They were writing to the MCD to put an end to the garbage dump so that they could build a gate. The garbage dump was removed in a hurry, and Asif and Ariba didn’t ask for a permanent place. Now, the garbage is being dumped in a temporary place. The father and daughter took credit for this and did live video to mislead innocent residents.
“They have failed to get any permanent solution to the garbage dump in the locality. Earlier, there were only two garbage sites; now, garbage can be seen dumped everywhere. Now, they have resorted to the blame game. Rather than finding solution and doing ground work they are accusing residents,” said Aarfa.
For years, the garbage used to spill over the road.
And even last year, the MCD election was fought on it, with many residents voting against Wajid Khan of AAP for his failure to remove the garbage from two spots: AFE and Shaheen Bagh.
As politics heats up, residents have breathed a sigh of relief that a major issue has been resolved.
