NAKODAR/JALANDHAR: The Mehatpur-Jagraon Road at the Nakodar Bypass is no longer just a transit route; it has transformed into a corridor of death. Under the guise of road repair and infrastructure development, a lethal layer of black ash has been spread across the stretch, turning every breath into a gamble for the local residents.
The “Midnight Sin”: Chemical Waste Disguised as Infrastructure
According to local reports and eyewitness accounts, the contractor allegedly dumped chemical-processed ash-a byproduct of stubble burning in factories-under the cover of night. Initially, the material appeared to be a harmless, sticky paste. However, as the sun rose and the moisture evaporated, it turned into an ultra-fine, toxic black powder.
Today, every vehicle passing through the bypass kicks up a dark cloud of soot. This toxic dust has invaded kitchens, bedrooms, and even the schoolbags of children, settling as a grim reminder of administrative negligence.
A Public Health Crisis: Children and Elderly at Risk
The impact on public health is staggering. Young children, whose respiratory systems are still developing, are inhaling this “slow poison” on their way to school. The locality is witnessing a sudden surge in:
- Severe Asthma and Bronchitis
- Persistent Coughing and Lung Irritation
- Chronic Eye Inflammation
- Serious Skin Disorders
Local families report that several infants are currently battling for their lives due to sudden respiratory distress caused by the airborne soot.
The Great Irony: Victims Treated as Criminals
When the community reached its breaking point and staged a protest to protect their children, the state’s response was chilling. Instead of addressing the environmental hazard, the administration deployed police force.
- The Offenders: Those spreading chemical waste remain free.
- The Victims: Common citizens demanding the right to breathe are being slapped with FIRs and legal warnings.
The question remains: When did begging for your life become a criminal offense?
Direct Inquiry: A Summons for DC, SDM, and PWD
The public demands answers to these critical questions:
- Who Authorized the Waste? Under what tender or safety guidelines was industrial chemical ash approved for a public road?
- Where is the Lab Report? Was this material tested for toxicity before being spread? If so, why hasn’t the report been made public?
- Why the Nighttime Operation? Why was the work carried out in the dark if the materials used were standard and safe?
- Moral Accountability: How is it ethically justifiable to file cases against citizens who are falling ill?
- The “Elite” Test: If this road led to a high-ranking official’s residence, would this toxic ash have stayed on the ground for even an hour?
The Path Forward: Immediate Actions Required
The administration cannot use the winter season as an excuse for inaction. To save lives, the following steps must be taken immediately:
- Sprinkling Operations: Continuous water tankers must douse the 5-km stretch to prevent dust from becoming airborne.
- De-silting & Removal: Heavy machinery should be deployed to scrape off the toxic layer and replace it with crushed stone or wet macadam.
- Medical Intervention: Emergency medical camps must be established for the affected residents, providing free treatment for respiratory issues.
- Criminal Investigation: A high-level inquiry must be initiated, leading to criminal charges against the contractor and the supervising engineers.
Editorial Note: This is not merely a complaint about a “bad road.” This is a violation of the fundamental right to life. Is the administration waiting for a fatality before they acknowledge the poison on the pavement?
