Capital Ranchi is turning out to be a civic mess with the city corporation struggling to maintain a semblance of cleanliness that has taken a hit with an acute shortage of people to help collect garbage from localities.

For the past week or so door-to-door garbage collection is being done once in three days as opposed to every day. As a result garbage is lying around in most areas of Ranchi, namely, Harmu, where the BJP state headquarters is located; Ashok Nagar, a posh residential area; Kadru, where Haj House is located; and Konka Road which joins Main Road with Karbala Chowk.

The immediate reason for this is that Essel Infra, the company handling door-to-door garbage collection for the corporation in 33 of 53 wards of the capital, has stopped working ever since Ranchi Municipal Corporation (RMC) decided to terminate its services for poor services.

While hiring a new firm for the job now won’t be possible because of the model code of conduct, RMC is taking contingency measures. It is planning to raise a 2,000-strong workforce of its own and setting up a 24x7 helpline to ensure a steady flow of information about areas that require urgent attention.

Garbage scattered on Road 2 at Ashok Nagar in Ranchi on Friday Picture by Prashant Mitra

The stretch between Albert Ekka Chowk and Lalpur Chowk is littered with garbage that local residents have dumped.

“Beginning with Albert Ekka Chowk, I noticed a garbage dump near Uday Mistana before Plaza Chowk. There is another dump a little ahead of Lalpur police station,” said Satyam Ayush, a management student of BIT, Lalpur extension.

“For the last 10 days no one has turned up to collect garbage. I have kept the garbage bags inside my house,” said Pradeep Adhikari, a resident of Harmu Housing Colony in ward 26.

Garbage scattered at Kadru Road in Ranchi on Friday Picture by Prashant Mitra

Another resident Manoj Kumar revealed how people had started dumping garbage in open spaces within the locality. “Someone dumped garbage in front of the residence of child welfare committee member Srikant. The garbage mound has attracted pigs and dogs from other localities,” he said.

Local councillor Arun Kumar Jha admitted the problem was severe, but said he was helpless.

“This is happening in 33 wards where Essel Infra was engaged for door-to-door garbage collection. The wards cover areas like Harmu, Hindpiri, Kishoreganj, Garikhnana, Kanke Road, Morabadi, Karbala Chowk and others,” he explained.

Garbage scattered on Karbala Chowk in Ranchi on Friday Picture by Prashant Mitra

Jha said they were managing with 23 labourers and two tractors. “I have engaged them in drain cleaning work to ensure no major problems arise. Sweeping work has been stopped. Door-to-door collection is being done every three days,” Jha said, adding that they were waiting to engage more workers and equipment.

Mayor Asha Lakra said the problem was being sorted out. “We hope to resolve the problem soon. There are major problems in Harmu locality. Other areas are relatively better off,” she said.