KATHMANDU: Garbage collection in the Kathmandu Valley came to a complete standstill today owing to the strike called by the agitating local bodies’ employee union.

The strike has obstructed the collection of about 600 metric tons of garbage, including 350 metric tonnes from the Kathmandu Metropolitan City alone.

“We were unable to lift the garbage from the streets today after the cleaners supported the strike,” said Rabin Man Shrestha, chief of the Environment Management Department at the KMC.

“We have urged the unions to allow the collection of garbage regularly despite their strike. But they seem to be bent on their move,” said Shrestha. Ganga Dhar Gautam, president of the Local Body Employees’ Union, said they would not allow the collection unles the government fulfils their demands.