Rawalpindi:Despite celebrating World Environment Day, the Rawalpindi Waste Management Company (RWMC) continues to face criticism from residents over the waste transfer station located near Liaquat Bagh in the heart of the city.
Citizens say the facility has been a major source of environmental pollution and public inconvenience for more than 12 years. Residents complain that the transfer station emits a persistent foul smell that spreads across surrounding areas and even affects commuters traveling along Murree Road.
According to the locals, the unpleasant odor has become a daily nuisance, forcing many people to cover their noses while passing through the area. They also claim that prolonged exposure to the station has contributed to various health concerns, including eye infections and respiratory problems, particularly among children and elderly residents.
The site was previously a ladies’ park where women regularly gathered for walking and exercise. However, the park was demolished to make way for the waste transfer station. At the time, authorities assured residents that the facility would be temporary and would eventually be relocated, after which the park would be restored. More than a decade later, residents say those promises remain unfulfilled.
Citizens have repeatedly appealed to RWMC officials and other relevant authorities to shift the transfer station to a less populated area. However, despite numerous requests and assurances from successive RWMC administrations, no concrete progress has been made.
