KATHMANDU: A group of people, led by Laxman Ghimire of Sisdole, have threatened to disrupt garbage disposal at Aletar Landfill Site from tomorrow, putting forth a two-point demand. The garbage collection, disrupted since last Sunday due to agitation of local body staffers had resumed today following a three-point agreement with the government.

Ghimire, a resident of Mathillo Siudeni, Okharpauwa-5, said the people of Wards No 4 and 5 would not allow dumping of garbage collected in Kathmandu valley from tomorrow. “We will not allow dumping until

our demands are met,” he said.

They have demanded construction of a bridge at Kolpu Khola and blacktopping of the three-kilometre road linking Ratomate with Galchhi in Dhading district.

A development package for Sisdole area was agreed between the locals and government about four months ago, in return for promise not to disrupt garbage disposal again. “The agreement has not been implemented yet,” said Ghimire, adding that disruption was the only way to get the pact implemented. “Until the government invites bids for the construction of the road and the bridge, we will not allow garbage-laden vehicles to run smoothly,” he said.

Agitating employees’ unions, which padlocked local body offices since December 15 had disrupted garbage collection from December 20.

Ghimire threatened over phone to obstruct the disposal from tomorrow, said Rabin Man Shrestha, chief, Environment Management Division, Kathmandu Metropolitan City. “Garbage disposal had resumed from today, though. We disposed of about 500 metric tonnes of waste today,” he added. “It will take five more days to clear the garbage that has piled up, if there are no disruptions.”

Shrestha said garbage dumping would continue as usual tomorrow too. “However, another group has issued a seven-day ultimatum to obstruct the disposal,” he regretted.

Nevertheless, “We are against allocating budget through users’ committees, which often misuse development funds,” Shrestha lamented.

According to Solid Waste Management and Resource Mobilisation Centre , about Rs 12.5 million is distributed to the locals every year through the users’ committees for development works. “We are ready to implement the pact but the local residents are not interested in forming a mechanism as per the deal,” said Dr Sumitra Amatya, general manager, SWMRMC. “The locals never let us call any bid,” she added, threatening to dump garbage even by using force.