Kathmandu, August 31 | Locals of Okharpauwa, Nuwakot, have been obstructing disposal of waste collected in Kathmandu Valley at the Sisdole landfill site for the past one week.

According to Kathmandu Metropolitan City, locals continue to obstruct garbage trucks putting forth new demands almost daily, although it has addressed most of their concerns.

Environment Management Division Chief at Kathmandu Metropolitan City Rabin Man Shrestha said waste management in the Valley had been severely affected due to continued obstruction by Okharpauwa residents. Locals of the area are now demanding employment, he added.

Earlier on August 25 and 26, locals of Aathmile and surrounding areas had obstructed waste disposal at the landfill site, demanding construction of a metalled road. They had agreed to lift obstruction after holding talks with officials of Kathmandu Metropolitan City, Department of Roads, transport entrepreneurs, police and representatives of political parties.

Locals had agreed to lift obstruction after the Department of Roads expressed commitment to construct the road and transport entrepreneurs promised to operate three local buses.

The government had constructed Okharpauwa site to manage waste produced in the Valley only for two years. It had planned to construct a new landfill site at Banchare Danda to manage waste for another 50 years.

However, Kathmandu Metropolitan City continues to dispose of waste at Sisdole landfill site. Officials at Kathmandu Metropolitan City said more than 20 municipalities in Kathmandu Valley disposed of waste at the Sisdole landfill site. “However, people only blame Kathmandu Metropolitan City when something goes wrong,” said Shrestha.

A study by Alternative Energy Promotion Centre said Kathmandu Metropolitan City, Lalitpur Sub-Metropolitan City, Bhaktapur Municipality, Madhyapur Thimi Municipality, Kirtipur Municipality and Kalimati fruit and vegetable market alone produce 331 tonnes urban waste daily.

More than 20 garbage trucks ferry waste to the Sisdole landfill site.

Source: The Himalayan Times

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