Pulwama’s circular road chokes under piles of garbage despite official closure
Months after being declared shut, the former dumping site remains unattended, allege locals
Pulwama: Months after Pulwama’s Circular Road dumping site was officially closed, a massive heap of rotting garbage continues to dominate the area, turning what was once a busy stretch into a zone of stench and frustration.
Locals accuse the authorities of abandoning their promise to clear the site, saying the waste has now grown into what they describe as a “hill of neglect.”
The dumping ground, spread across several metres, remains piled high with domestic refuse, plastic waste, and construction debris.
Residents say they have repeatedly lodged complaints with municipal officials, but no meaningful action has followed.
“This place was supposed to be cleared long ago, but the garbage still lies untouched,” said Abdul Rashid, a local resident. “It has become impossible to walk past without covering our faces. We feel forgotten.”
Shopkeepers along the road echoed similar concerns, saying the foul smell has badly affected their business.
“People avoid coming here altogether. The stench hits you from a distance,” said Haroon Ahmad, who runs a grocery store nearby. “Even regular customers hesitate to stop by.”
The Pulwama Municipal Committee had earlier shut the site following public outcry over unscientific waste disposal and the health risks it posed to residents. Yet, months after the closure, mounds of decomposing waste remain untouched, attracting stray dogs and swarms of insects.
“Flies have invaded our homes, and we can’t even keep windows open,” said Saleema a resident living close to the site. “The situation is unhygienic and dangerous, especially for children.”
Municipal officials, however, maintain that the delay is temporary.
“The machinery required for clearing the site is currently engaged at other locations. “Once it becomes available, we will begin the clearance drive. Our aim is to finish it before the onset of winter.”
