Garbage problem returns to haunt Kathmandu again

  • 24/06/2008

  • Nepal News (Nepal)

Accusing the government of not properly addressing their demands despite an agreement, the locals of Sisdole and surrounding areas again barred Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) from dumping garbage at the Okharpauwa Landfill Site Tuesday. Due to the obstruction from the locals, heaps of uncollected garbage has again started to pile up on the streets and pavements of the capital city, causing serious eye sore and stench to the residents of the city of over 2 million. The Sisdole locals had yesterday blocked 26 garbage trucks of KMC and Lalitpur Sub metropolis from transporting the city's wastage to the landfill site. The trucks were forced to return to the capital following the obstruction. Last Tuesday, the Sisdole locals had reached an agreement with the Ministry of Local Development on letting KMC dump garbage at the landfill site following assurance that all of their demands, including infrastructure development in the locality, would be properly addressed. The secretaries of Ministry of Local Development and Physical Planning and Infrastructure Development are holding dialogue with the Sisdole locals today to find a way out of this perennial problem. Reports said that the secretaries had agreed to meet most of the demands of Sisdole locals during their meeting yesterday, raising hopes that the problem would probably be solved by the end of the day.