HYDERABAD: Garbage continued to pile up in the twin cities for the fifth consecutive day on Friday raising an unbearable stench as the indefinite strike by municipal employees, including sanitation workers, across the State refused to budge an inch.
Sweeping of roads, lifting and transportation of garbage were badly affected in many parts of the city with even contract workers, transport and malaria workers staying away from work. GHMC Special Officer Somesh Kumar said tomorrow, despite being a second Saturday, will be working day for GHMC employees and directed all the employees to report to the duties. A compensatory off will be given later.
GHMC has deployed existing vehicles as well as hired private vehicles to clear piled up garbage. Out of the 1,042 vehicles, they pressed into service 672 for lifting of garbage. And, of the 2,047 garbage bins, 366 were cleared of garbage and 3,973 workers out of 28,697 attended to work on Friday.
Meanwhile, the government did not hold talks with leaders of the Telangana Municipal Employees and Workers United Association, who are spearheading the agitation, on Friday. As there is no headway in solving their demands, the unions have decided to continue their strike till the government relents. Due to the strike, about 20,000 tonnes of garbage has been lying undisposed in the Greater Hyderabad limits. On a daily basis, nearly 4,000 metric tonnes (MTs) of garbage is generated in the Greater Hyderabad limits.
The unions will hold a protest meeting at Dharna Chowk at Indira Park on Friday at 10 am at which leaders of BJP, TDP, MIM and other parties will also be present.