Politics intensifies over Gadakana garbage dumping yard in Bhubaneswar 

Politics continues to heat up over the dumping yard at Gadakana in Bhubaneswar. The Bharatiya Janata Party and the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) were locked in a war of words over the issue.

As per reports, the BJP has been carrying out Satyagrah in front of the Sainik School demanding quick removal of the massive mound of garbage at Gadakana as people in the area and its periphery continue to suffer due to foul smell. The Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) had earlier announced to halt the dumping of garbage there in two months, but the deadline has turned out to be a farce, the BJP leaders alleged.

Speaking to the media, BJP leader Dillip Mohanty said, “The BMC is insensitive to the people of Patia, Gadakana, Damana, Bhotapada, Chakeisiani, VVS Nagar, Gajapatinagar, Chandrashekharpur, Sainik School, East Coast Railway Hospital, Apollo Hospital, Kalinga Hospital, and Rangamatia areas who have been the worst sufferers. They are upset over the foul smell continuously coming from the garbage which is causing air pollution. Water is also polluted in some areas too.”

He trained his guns on BMC Mayor Sulochana Das, who in turn, accused the BJP of doing politics over the issue. Mohanty said, “The Mayor should visit the affected areas and know what people are going through. If the mayor says we are doing politics, it is very unfortunate.”    

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Reacting to the BJP’s Satyagraha, BMC mayor Sulohan Das said, “The BJP has no issues with which they will go to the people. They are making the garbage dumping an issue. Garbage is also coming from their houses. Where the BMC will take the garbage to dump? The BMC is processing it and we are working hard day and night.”

She also said that the BMC acknowledges the suffering of the people.