Kathmandu, January 3

The Ministry of Federal Affairs and Local Development has tasked Solid Waste Management Technical Support Centre with conducting feasibility study for construction of sustainable landfill sites in Kathmandu, Lalitpur and Bhaktapur.

The decision was taken at a recent meeting held by Minister for Federal Affairs and Local Development with chiefs of Valley-based municipalities, SWMTSC and other stakeholders, said a statement issued by the ministry yesterday. It said it was highly critical to carry out systematic and sustainable development of landfill sites to address the problem of waste management in the Valley.

According to MoFALD, SWMTSC has been asked to submit the feasibility report within two months. The Valley produces an average of 1,000 tonnes of garbage daily, and nearly 70 per cent of waste is disposed of in Okharpauwa Sisdol Landfill Site, the only landfill site.

A study conducted by JICA in 2005 had suggested that around 350 tonnes of waste could be disposed of in the landfill site daily for 23 years.

According to SWMTSC, it is nearly impossible for Sisdol Landfill Site to continue to hold waste as it is close to saturation point.

Bearing this in mind, the government has already started construction of a new landfill site at Bancharedanda on the border between Nuwakot and Dhading districts. If the Bancharedanda-based landfill site is not completed within the next two years, the Valley is sure to face problems of waste management.

The under-construction landfill site is expected to hold waste for at least 20 years after its completion. The government has acquired 1,792 ropanis of land for the development of necessary infrastructures. The estimated cost of the project is Rs 2.45 billion.