Police colony turns dumping ground

Strange but true. Residents of Dabri in Delhi have alleged that they are falling sick due to the stench emanating from the garbage at Dabri police colony. Around forty people of the area have handed a letter to the local MCD councillor, demanding removal of garbage after they were told by the local police that they don't have enough funds for the purpose.u00a0u00a0u00a0




Odour, odour: The Dabri police station and the police colony grounds
which are used as a dumping yard. Pics/Mid Day

MiD DAY has a copy of the letter written to MCD councillor Renu Sharma (ward number 120). It has been more than a year and the people in the neighbourhood of the police station are compelled to live in such an environment.

However, when contacted, local police alleged that they also have complained to the MCD councillor regarding the issue but no action was taken by her. "Around three days ago we complained to her. Police was assured that JCB machines will be sent to remove the garbage but nothing happened. On Wednesday morning we again contacted the councillor and hope she will take action," said the police official.

Renu Sharma, the MCD councillor, confirmed that she has received a complaint of garbage inside the police colony. She said that the MCD will remove the trash by Friday afternoon.

No problem
"We will ask the local police to reprimand the residents of the area who throw waste materials inside the police station. We don't have any problems in removing the garbage," said Sharma.u00a0 Meanwhile, Sandeep Kumar, the president of Dabri Welfare association, said the police were responsible for the situation. He said that residents are ready to pay for removal of waste but the local police is delaying the work. Dinesh Kumar the general secretary of the association said that they have spoken to Dabri Police but all in vain.u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0

"Earlier the local councillor sent three JCB machines for discharge of the trash but turned back as the police did not give them written permission to enter the premises. Apparently stolen and impounded vehicles were parked in the compound. Cops were apprehensive of vehicles going missing," said Dinesh Kumar.u00a0

Passing the buck
Meanwhile, speaking to MiD DAY, DCP (Land and building) VA Gupta said that the SHO of the police station is responsible if the premises have turned into a dumping site. "It is his (SHO) duty to remove the garbage," said Gupta.u00a0u00a0u00a0

Asha who lives adjoining area of the police station alleged that her whole family had been bed ridden for 15 days due to respiratory problems cued by the stench of the garbage. Her husband Jitender Tanwar works with the Ministry of Defence.

"We can't breathe properly because of the foul odour. The garbage is causing an epidemic of sorts. The place has turned into a breeding ground for mosquitoes and bees," she alleged. She said a few people of the area have been hospitalised recently due to problems caused by the waste dumping.u00a0u00a0u00a0

History matters
Dabri police station is about 30 years old. Earlier it was a part of west district when southwest district had not been formed. It was decided that DCP southwest's office would be set up in the vacant land of Dabri Police Station. But the project was then postponed due to some reasons and the DCP office was set up in Dwarka sector 23.u00a0