LUCKNOW: Even as air quality continues to deteriorate in the city, there is no check on burning of garbage in the open. Garbage burning in open is a major contributor to air pollution and is banned in the city. Even district magistrate’s order to Lucknow Municipal Corporation to impose this ban have gone unheeded.LMC had put a ban on the practise two years ago and announced a fine of Rs 500 fine on those flouting the rule. The corporation had also decided to penalise its sanitary workers by deducting a day’s wages if they were found burning garbage in the open.But in a reality check TOI found that many sanitary workers still burn the trash on the roadside in several areas, including Lalbagh, Latouche Road, Aliganj and Kaiserbagh.Residents complained that smoke from garbage burning is affecting their health. Worst hit are the morning walkers and children going to school in the morning.Manya Mishra, a resident of Lalbagh, said, “Our morning begins with breathing polluted air. Most of the times, sanitary workers burn the garbage on the roadside.”Several residents of Latouche Road said wires and cycle tubes are frequently burnt in the open. Raju Gautam, a local resident, said, “Latouche Road has many electronics and cycle repair shops. The trash from these shops is thrown on the roads which is burnt by the sweepers in the morning. The smoke gives a choking sensation.”Residents of Kaiserbagh said their complains to LMC have evoked no response. “Sanitary workers burn burn the garbage in the open thrice a week in my locality. People have started complaining of headache and nasal congestion due to smoke,” Aditya Tiwari, a resident of Kaiserbagh, said.“Many residents have stopped going for morning walks when garbage is burned because smoke gives a choking feeling. We have lodged several complaints with LMC but to no avail,” Shivam Saini of Kaisrbagh said.Environment engineer of LMC, Pankaj Bhusan, claimed that the violators are being penailised. “We catch 10-15 LMC workers every month and deduct their salaries. If anyone sees a sweeper burning garbage in open, they should report to LMC,” he said.

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