The sanitation situation in Jalandhar has deteriorated in the wake of an ongoing strike by safai karamcharis, with heaps of uncollected garbage piling up at numerous locations across the city.The crisis has also taken a political turn, with the Congress and BJP holding protests on Jattvibeday, targeting the ruling AAP and Jalandhar Mayor Vaneet Dhir.Led by Jalandhar BJP chief Ashok Sareen Hikki, the BJP leaders and workers staged protests at different points in the city. The protesters said piles of garbage had exposed the failure of civic body to tackle the situation. While AAP organised the “Youth for Run” programme in the city today, the Congress also staged a protest over the deteriorating sanitation conditions.Former Congress MLA Rajinder Beri said, along with organising programmes promoting fitness and a healthy lifestyle, the AAP government and the mayor should also pay attention to the health and well-being of residents.The strike by sanitation workers follows the municipal corporation’s approval of a Rs 607 crore integrated solid waste management project. The unions are opposing the project, expressing apprehension that handing over waste management operations to a private company would put the jobs of existing sanitation workers at risk. The unions are also demanding the recruitment of 1,196 employees on a permanent basis.The impact of the strike was clearly visible on Jattvibeday, with the Tanda stretch getting blocked by accumulated garbage.While vehicles struggled to pass through the stretch, pedestrians were forced to change their routes because of the waste. A similar situation was reported near Nakodar Road, Partap Bagh, and Plaza Chowk, where piles of waste caused inconvenience and stench.Bantu Sabharwal, a member of the Sanitary Supervisor Employees’ Union, said the strike would continue until the proposed solid waste management project was cancelled. “They are handing the project to a Delhi-based private firm and want to take away jobs of our people. We will not let that happen,” he said.“No employee of the MC will be at a disadvantage because of this project. We are giving them assurances, and I will meet them tomorrow,” Rishi said.