Assam: Unmanaged waste, encroachment, turns Kaliabor's Naltoli market into health hazard

The once-bustling Naltoli market in Assam’s Kaliabor subdivision is grappling with a growing civic crisis as heaps of garbage and unmanaged waste have taken over large sections of the marketplace. The accumulation of refuse has resulted in a foul-smelling, unhygienic environment, raising serious public health concerns and leaving the area visibly degraded.

Despite the worsening situation, authorities appear to have taken little initiative to address waste clearance and sanitation in the market. Local residents and commuters allege that the absence of regular cleaning and monitoring has allowed the problem to spiral out of control.

Adding to the chaos, a section of traders operating along the four-lane National Highway No. 37 has allegedly encroached upon footpaths and significant portions of the service road. The illegal occupation has not only obstructed pedestrian movement but also intensified congestion and sanitation issues in the busy commercial hub.

The deteriorating conditions at Naltoli market have sparked calls for immediate intervention by civic and administrative authorities, with demands for systematic waste management, removal of encroachments, and stricter enforcement of civic regulations to restore hygiene and order in the area.