Health Risks Escalate in Palghar as Residents Demand Clean-up
Residents of Palghar, Maharashtra, particularly from the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Chowk area, are raising their voices against the persistent sanitation issues plaguing their locality. The situation in Pilena Nagar and Mhatre Chawl has reached a critical point, with rising health concerns due to the spread of garbage, stagnant water in potholes, and frequent mosquito outbreaks. These issues have led to the alarming rise in diseases such as malaria and dengue, leaving the local community in distress.
The population of Ward One, which includes Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Chowk, Pilena Nagar, and Mhatre Chawl, is estimated to be between 3,000 and 4,000 people. Residents report that the roads connecting these areas have fallen into disrepair, with potholes accumulating stagnant water from gutters and drainage systems. This unclean environment has become a breeding ground for mosquitoes, further worsening the sanitation crisis. The constant accumulation of garbage and the lack of regular cleaning services have resulted in an unbearable stench in the area. Despite submitting multiple complaints to the Palghar Municipal Council requesting immediate road repairs and sanitation improvements, residents claim that their concerns have gone largely ignored by the authorities.
Aftab Hussain Khan, Yuva Sena leader of Shiv Sena UBT, emphasized that hundreds of children walk these roads daily to school, putting their health at serious risk. Khan also warned that if the issue is not addressed soon, residents will be forced to escalate their protests and launch a public agitation. Efforts to contact Umakant Gaikwad, the chief officer of the relevant municipal department, yielded no response, leaving residents frustrated and uncertain about the government’s next steps. As the situation continues to deteriorate, the residents of Palghar remain hopeful that the municipal council will finally take decisive action to alleviate the worsening health and sanitation crisis in their community.
