CONRWA flags a severe sanitation crisis in Noida amid a garbage collection strike

The organisation argued that transparency is necessary to determine accountability and identify who is responsible for the current failure of waste management services.

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Ankita Sharma
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CONRWA has approached the NGT seeking an investigation into pollution caused by congestion at Delhi's border toll plazas and transparency in the utilisation of green toll revenue.
CONRWA has approached the NGT seeking an investigation into pollution caused by congestion at Delhi's border toll plazas and transparency in the utilisation of green toll revenue.

Noida : The Confederation of Noida Residents Welfare Associations (CONRWA) has raised serious concerns over the ongoing sanitation crisis in Noida and has urged the Noida Authority to take immediate corrective measures. In a letter addressed to the Chief Executive Officer of the Noida Authority, the residents’ body highlighted the deteriorating condition of waste management across the city due to the ongoing strike by sanitation workers.

According to CONRWA, garbage has not been collected from residential sectors, housing societies and individual households for the past four days, leading to the accumulation of large heaps of waste at multiple locations. The organization stated that the situation has disrupted the city’s cleanliness system and is posing a growing threat to public health.

Garbage piles up across the city

The letter notes that the continued accumulation of waste has resulted in foul odours across several areas. Residents fear that decomposing garbage could become a breeding ground for mosquitoes, flies and other disease-carrying pests, increasing the risk of infections and health-related problems.

CONRWA stated that citizens are being forced to live in unhygienic and unbearable conditions due to the prolonged disruption in waste collection services.

Questions raised over contractor accountability

A major concern highlighted by the residents’ body is the apparent absence of any alternative waste collection arrangement during the strike.

CONRWA pointed out that garbage collection and disposal services are being carried out through private contractors, with residents indirectly bearing the cost of these services. The organization questioned why no contingency plan was activated despite the disruption.

The letter further sought clarity on whether both contractual sanitation workers and Noida Authority employees are participating in the strike. If so, CONRWA has asked the Authority to disclose what provisions exist in the service contracts to deal with emergencies, labour strikes or interruptions in essential services.

Demand for public disclosure of contracts

CONRWA has demanded that the contractual agreements between the Noida Authority and the waste management agencies be made public. The residents’ body has also requested a copy of the relevant contracts so that citizens can understand the responsibilities assigned to contractors and the Authority.

The organisation argued that transparency is necessary to determine accountability and identify who is responsible for the current failure of waste management services.

Call for a permanent solution

The residents’ body noted that sanitation workers’ strikes occur four to five times every year, causing recurring disruption to garbage collection services. It urged the Authority to formulate a permanent mechanism to ensure uninterrupted waste management even during labour disputes.

CONRWA emphasised that the issue becomes even more critical during the summer months when garbage decomposes rapidly, generating foul smells and potentially harmful gases. In such weather conditions, timely waste collection is essential to safeguard public health.

Warning over public health risks

The letter warned that if the situation is not addressed urgently, it could have serious consequences for public health, environmental safety and the credibility of the city’s administration.

CONRWA has called upon the Noida Authority to take immediate and effective action to restore garbage collection services and provide relief to residents facing the ongoing sanitation crisis.

CONRWA office bearers, sign the Letter

The representation has been jointly signed by Dr P. S. Jain, President, CONRWA, and Rajeev Garg, General Secretary, CONRWA Noida Chapter, who have urged the Authority to act without delay and ensure that residents do not continue to suffer due to the ongoing strike.

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