The other side of Shaheen Bagh – in video
When one talks about Shaheen Bagh the first thing which comes to mind is Dadi, Bilkis Bano, who in 2020 was featured by Time Magazine naming her among 100 most influential people. One also remembers the old days when Shaheen Bagh grabbed national and international headlines. Now, for outsiders the whole of Jamia Nagar is identified by Shaheen Bagh. But there is other side of the locality which many outsiders are unaware of and it is the garbage management has not kept pace with growth of area.
Like other parts of Jamia Nagar, Shaheen Bagh is in a garbage mess, according to residents.
There are very few stretches of roads in Jamia Nagar, where local residents can walk without holding their nose. This is because garbage management is a major problem here. Dumping of garbage on roadsides in the open is a major issue for Jamia Nagar residents. Garbage dumped on road is a common sight. For years some residents have been demanding for the issue to be resolved but will little success. As you move around the area you can find garbage dumped on roadsides in Abul Fazal Enclave, Shaheen Bagh, Okhla Vihar, Okhla Head, Batla House and other areas.
At times the garbage spills over the road and it becomes difficult for residents to pass from there as the whole area stinks. Also, it causes traffic jam.
There have been cases of bikers being hurt after their vehicles skidding due to wet waste. Residents are fed up but with no solution at sight majority of them have learned to cope with the pathetic situation with residents on bikes and e-rickshaws pass by covering their nose to avoid the putrid smell coming out from there.
A resident said garbage is picked up daily but it piles up and when there is holiday or strike of workers or a day’s delay, the garbage spills over the road. Many residents have been demanding end to dumping of garbage on roadside as they said it is harmful to health and environment. They said at times the garbage pickers even burn the waste.
