SRINAGAR: The inability of the authorities in freeing the summer capital from loads of dust after floods, is posing severe health threats like Bacterial Growth, Asthma, Bronchitis, and even Tuberculosis (TB) to the people here.
Dug up dust-covered roads of Lal Chowk, Jahangir Chowk, Magarmal Bagh and various other areas have compelled people to wear masks to prevent respiratory problems and other health related issues. Health experts are, however, of the opinion that the masks available in the market are not effective deterrents against this pollution.
They said that the concerned departments including the Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) must take appropriate measures to put lid over the dust pollution looming large in Srinagar. Experts believe that if immediate measures are not taken by the SMC, the pollution could give rise to serious disease including Bacterial Growth, Asthma, Bronchitis, and even Tuberculosis (TB).
Due to the devastating floods of September and later the lack of maintenance, Srinagar continues to remain covered in clouds of dust. People while expressing serious concern over the issue said that the SMC seems nowhere visible on ground and during the initial days of the flood aftermath- it made dust clearing vehicles to saunter around the city, took photos and published the same in the dailies. After that we have never seen SMC men on roads- clearing the dust that has become worst crises after the floods in Srinagar. The commissioner of the corporation prefers office over his obligation of supervising the flood aftermath operations in the City, said Mukhtar Ahmad, a shopkeeper at Jahangir Chowk.
His views were echoed by others saying the SMC would not do any favor to them by clearing the roads as the same remains its duty. We pay monthly taxes to the Corporation, said another shopkeeper, They (SMC men) draw salary out of our money- why cannot they discharge their duties well.
Meanwhile, while people prefer to keep their faces covered with masks, it has turned out to be a good business for some shopkeepers who are selling locally produced masks, which are prepared by tailors of the city with below-standard material.
Also, due to the non- seriousness being displayed by the authorities, the number of patients with respiratory problems has been increased in the OPD of hospitals and other health centres during the past month. Continuous exposure to dust results in cough and allergy. Small dust particles may cause swelling and infection in respiratory tract which might result in major problems like Bacterial Growth, Asthma, Bronchitis, and even Tuberculosis (TB).
The Commissioner SMC Dr G.N. Qasba said that the issues related to the dust in Srinagar was resolved to large extent. Remaining problems will be resolved within two or three days. I can assure you that once the staff resumes the routine task of sweeping, the problems of dust will go, he said.
He credited the SMC for cleaning the Srinagar after the recent floods, claiming had SMC not displayed the courage, Srinagar would have been nothing but a mountain of garbage. (KNS)
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