Ludhiana, May 12 -- An open area in front of Block D at Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar has turned into a garbage dump as the municipal corporation is yet to start waste collection services in the locality, triggering foul smell and health concerns among residents.

The site, where waste is being dumped openly, is a disputed piece of land that was originally meant for a road. However, over the past few months, it has gradually turned into a dumping ground. The locality was earlier under the jurisdiction of the Ludhiana Improvement Trust, which handed over the area to the municipal corporation in April.

Municipal health officer Dr Vipin Malhotra said the civic body has not yet hired workers for collection and lifting of waste from the area. "W...