Hooghly, 15 February (H.S.)

Continuous burning of garbage in a field adjacent to Maitri Path near Rishra station in Hooghly district has created a serious environmental crisis in the entire area. Toxic smoke rising from the garbage blankets Rishra station and surrounding areas in a cloud of pollution, severely impacting public life.

The situation has become so dire that the smoke sometimes turns even the Rishra police station into a gas chamber. Hundreds of schoolchildren, thousands of commuters who travel through the station daily, and local residents are forced to breathe this toxic air. Eye irritation, breathing difficulties, and headaches have become common complaints.

This serious problem has sparked widespread anger among locals, with sharp criticism of the administration from social media to the streets. Amidst continued complaints and mounting pressure, Rishra Municipality Chairman Vijay Sagar Mishra finally visited the site on Sunday.

During the visit, the Chairman took stock of the situation and issued immediate necessary instructions to the concerned officials. He clarified that burning garbage in the open is not only a legal offense but also a threat to the health of the public. He assured them of finding a permanent solution as soon as possible and taking strict action to prevent such incidents from recurring in the future.

The Chairman's proactive intervention has brought a new ray of hope to the locals. People said that if the administration fulfills its promises, Rishra may soon be relieved of the toxic smoke.

All eyes are now on the municipality's next action, which will determine whether the people of Rishra will be able to breathe clean air.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Priyanka Pandey