Ganderbal, April 12 -- The residents and shopkeepers in Wakura Block of central Kashmir's Ganderbal district are grappling with mounting waste and deteriorating hygiene conditions due to the prolonged absence of garbage collection vehicles.

Despite paying a monthly fee for waste disposal, the locals alleged that the waste collection has been stalled for several days, leading to heaps of garbage accumulating along roadsides and open spaces.

"The lack of garbage collection has not only made our area look unkempt but has also started attracting pests. It's becoming a health hazard for everyone living and working here," a local resident told the news agency-Kashmir News Observer (KNO).

Business owners echoed similar concerns, stating that ...