The Rawalpindi Waste Management Company (RWMC) has reportedly designated a one-to-two-acre section of the Sunday Market at Committee Chowk as a temporary filth depot. This area, one of the city's most densely populated and busiest commercial zones, has seen municipal waste from across Rawalpindi transported and dumped there over the past three days. Local residents estimate the refuse accumulations to be between 40 and 50 feet high.
Market Closed for First Time in 46 Years
The area has been completely cordoned off by the Suthra Punjab Company using green mesh fencing. As a result, the historic Sunday Market, which has operated regularly for 46 years, is reportedly unable to function today for the first time in its history. The site traditionally accommodates hundreds of stalls selling vegetables, fruits, and other essential food items. However, traders claim the area is now occupied by towering heaps of garbage.
Vendors have been compelled to relocate their stalls to Dhoke Khabba Road, a move expected to cause severe traffic congestion and disruption throughout the surrounding locality.
Operational Office Established
According to reports, the Suthra Punjab Company has also established an operational office at the site, staffed by sanitary inspectors and male and female sanitation workers. Heavy trucks and loaders are transporting and depositing waste collected from various parts of the city on a continuous basis.
Locals express alarm over the potential health and environmental consequences. Hotels, marriage halls, and commercial establishments are situated within 30 to 40 feet of the waste site, while densely populated residential neighborhoods lie only 25 to 30 feet away. Residents complain of an intense and persistent foul odor spreading throughout the area.
Health Concerns and Financial Losses
Business owners report a significant decline in customer activity. Managers of nearby wedding halls claim that guests attending marriage ceremonies have left due to the unpleasant smell. Hotel operators fear substantial financial losses as a result of the deteriorating environment.
According to locals Sharif Qureshi, Sheikh Nadeem, and Waris Shah, they were initially informed the site would serve only as a temporary collection point for animal remains during Eidul Azha and would operate for three days. However, they allege that by the morning following Eid, dozens of trucks had deposited large quantities of municipal waste at the location, creating enormous mounds of refuse.
Residents further claim that recent rainfall has intensified the stench, making daily life increasingly difficult. They report a rise in complaints relating to coughing, throat irritation, skin allergies, and other health concerns. The residents have warned that if authorities fail to relocate the dumping site, they will stage protests outside the company's local office.
Company Response
Responding to the concerns, an RWMC/Suthra Punjab Company sanitation inspector responsible for the site said the facility is a temporary waste dumping ground established for operational requirements during the Eid period. He added that the company intends to implement a daily waste-clearance program and maintain the site on a regular basis.
