Video Editor: Rahul Sanpui
Video Producer: Maaz Hasan
In August 2020, Meerut was ranked seventh in the list of dirtiest cities (with a population over 10 lakh) in the country by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs in its Swachh Sarvekshan report.
For a resident like me, this didn’t come as a surprise. Despite performing poorly in the rankings, the authorities are hardly bothered.
If Meerut jumps further ahead in the ranking of dirtiest cities, then Abu Nullah, an open drain through the heart of the city, will definitely have a major role to play.
“It’s very dirty here because of this open drain. There is a foul smell throughout the day. It’s very difficult to work or sit around this area. Mosquitoes are aplenty in our houses each evening.”Kartik, Resident
The residents of Abu Lane have complained several times to the authorities regarding the issue, but there has been complete inaction. The area has become a hotbed of diseases.
Geetika Agarwal, a resident of Abu Lane, says, “Everytime we complain, no one takes any action.”
“There are many mosquitoes here, that’s why so many people suffer from malaria and dengue.”Geetika Agarwal, Resident
Abu Nullah is covered at many points along its run, but it has been left open from Rajban to Abu Lane, which isn’t fair to the residents.
“There are a lot of problems because of this drain. Either the government should lay a pipeline so that dirty water flows through that or cover the whole area. Covering the drain is the best option, so that space can be used either as a market or a parking space.”Sanjay Marwah, Resident
We hope that through this medium, the authorities will listen to our concerns and resolve the issue so that we would be able to live in a hygienic condition.
(The Quint has reached out to Meerut Municipal Corporation. Their response would be added here, when received.)
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