India, Aug. 2 -- Ludhiana

Even though sanitation workers withdrew their strike later on Saturday, the civic disruption it left in its wake continued to cripple commercial activity and deepen public health concerns across Ludhiana, where mounds of uncollected garbage remained strewn across markets and residential localities after nearly a week of disrupted waste collection.

One of the worst-affected locations is Kochar Market in Jawahar Nagar, where garbage left uncleared for four to five days has begun decomposing, engulfing the city's bustling wholesale hub in a persistent stench and driving away customers. Overflowing waste has spilled onto adjoining roads, constricting traffic movement and forcing traders to conduct business amid unh...