KATHMANDU: Kathmandu Valley garbage is finally set to go to Aletar. A meeting between the officials of the Solid Waste Management and Resource Mobilisation Centre under the Ministry of Local Development and the protesting locals of Aletar ended the row over the long-drawn dispute.

As both the sides are closer to reaching an agreement, the garbage disposal in Aletar is likely to begin Sunday, said officials, present at the meeting.

The talks ended on a positive nod as the government promised job opportunities for the locals in return for dumping site in Aletar.

The representatives from the political parties and some locals did not appear in the meeting.

The SWMRMC has decided to provide employment to 15 local residents paying a daily wage of Rs 185 each. Their job involves garbage management. Some residents of the landfill site, have, however, demanded job for each of the 42 households in the locality.

Dr Sumitra Amatya, general manager, SWMRMC, said talks with the 15 job perspective candidates was held today. "We discussed on the issue seeking a solution to the dispute that dragged on. The chosen 15 have committed to end the row by convincing the locals," she said, adding, "They have assured us to dispose waste at Aletar from Sunday."

The long-used Sisdole landfill site has run out of capacity. As an alternative, the nearby Aletar was identified as a viable alternative for 400 metric tonnes of garbage produced in Kathmandu and Lalitpur districts.

She, however, said that despite the breakthrough in today's talks, there could be protests from some sections. Let's see on Sunday what will come out of it," she added.

The SWMRMC has started clearing the hurdles on the road that leads to Sisdole, created by mudslides after the continual rain. "We are also working on a garage and a shelter for sanitation staff in the site," Amatya added.

Rabin Man Shrestha, chief of the Environment Division at the KMC, said that the road clearance started from today. "It may take two or three days to bring the road in good condition," he said.