The Walled City of Jaipur faces the problem of illegal construction waste dumping in its green belt, designated for a smart city project. Residents of ward 9 complained about the lack of monitoring and on-ground inspection, leading to unauthorized waste disposal. In response, authorities have been instructed to identify culprits and impose penalties. Additionally, five illegal buildings were sealed in the Shastri Nagar area to curb unauthorized commercial activities. The situation emphasizes the need for responsible urban planning, effective waste management, and strict enforcement to preserve the city's heritage and ensure sustainable development.
In the heart of Jaipur, the vibrant Walled City is facing a concerning issue as construction and demolition waste find their way into a green belt designated for a smart city project. The situation has alarmed residents of ward 9, who have witnessed patches of the green belt being converted into illegal dumping zones. Despite efforts to initiate plantation work, the lack of proper monitoring has allowed unauthorized waste disposal to flourish.
Rajat Vishnoi, the counselor from Ward 9 in Jaipur Municipal Corporation (JMC)-Heritage, expressed his frustration, stating, "Due to lack of monitoring by officials, construction and demolition waste was dumped at the plantation site. Now that the officials are active ahead of the G20 summit, mud is being dumped again there for plantation work." The residents claim that the plantation work is merely on paper, and effective on-ground monitoring is lacking, allowing these activities to continue unchecked.
In response to the mounting concerns, authorities have taken notice. Engineers have been instructed to identify the individuals responsible for dumping waste in the open areas and take strict action against them. The goal is to issue challans and penalize those responsible for the illegal waste disposal. While such actions may deter some offenders, it highlights the need for more comprehensive waste management and stricter enforcement measures.
Ashish Kumar, the Deputy Commissioner Garden at JMC-Heritage, acknowledged that some people are taking advantage of the night time to clandestinely dump waste in the open areas. Initially, identifying the culprits proved challenging, but with increased surveillance and monitoring, the responsible parties have been identified. Authorities have now directed officials to intensify on-ground inspections and enforcement to curb such illegal activities.
Apart from the waste dumping issue, the authorities have also addressed the problem of illegal constructions in the Shastri Nagar area. In a bid to prevent unauthorized commercial activities, the authorities sealed five illegal buildings under the Hawa Mahal Amer zone. The building owners had established 70 shops in the illegally constructed structures. Prior to the sealing, notices were issued to the builders, but the commercial activities persisted unabated.
Rajendra Shekhawat, the Commissioner of JMC-Heritage, explained, "Notices were first issued to the builders, but commercial activities continued unabated. Therefore, we had no other option than to seal the buildings. They were sealed on Friday." The sealing of these structures is seen as a necessary measure to enforce city regulations and prevent further illegal activities.
The situation in the Walled City of Jaipur highlights the significance of proper urban planning and waste management in rapidly developing areas. The need for responsible and sustainable urbanization is essential to maintain the charm and heritage of the city while embracing modernization.
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