Gurugram sanitation strike enters 21st day as garbage piles up

A strike by sanitation and fire workers in Gurugram entered its 21st day on Wednesday, August 26, leaving garbage accumulated across several parts of the city and putting pressure on civic services.

More than 14,000 contractual sanitation and fire workers have been on strike, according to a report by The Indian Express. Residents have complained about mounting garbage on roads and in residential areas.

The protesting workers have been demanding action on issues including reinstatement of workers, regularisation of contractual employees and an end to outsourcing of sanitation and sewerage work.

The strike was extended through August 30, with workers warning that the agitation could become indefinite if their demands are not addressed.

On Wednesday, hundreds of protesting sanitation workers marched from the old Municipal Corporation of Gurugram office towards the Mini Secretariat and submitted a memorandum to the administration.

The workers have been pressing for implementation of commitments made during a May 13 settlement.

The prolonged strike has resulted in large garbage piles across roads, residential neighbourhoods and markets, raising concerns about sanitation and public health, particularly amid rain and high temperatures.

The municipal corporation has said it is using its own resources and private agencies to restore cleanliness and gradually remove accumulated garbage.

A senior civic official said teams were being deployed to clear garbage from affected locations.

The protest has now become a major civic-services challenge for Gurugram, with negotiations between the workers and authorities continuing.