KATHMANDU, AUGUST 14
There is record of garbage piling more than 14 days on the streets of KMC, but the ruling alliance has shown no interest in solving the garbage management problem, said Yogesh Bhattarai.
He told the Mayor of KMC Balendra Shah not to seek aid from the ruling alliance because this problem had already persisted for 71 days, but the government had shown no interest in resolving the issue. He added that the CPN-UML was ready to aid him in managing garbage. He further said relying on the government would only lead to disappointment, if he approached the UML the party would help him protect the cultural and historical value of KMC.
Earlier Sunil Lamsal had said the Road Department and Ministry of Urban Development were not keen on solving the garbage problem. Further the Road Department's equipment and vehicles were vandalised by an unknown group, which may take more than a month to repair. Lamsal said the hidden interest of certain people was delaying garbage management.
A meeting of the ruling alliance directed the government to solve the garbage issue according to the Minister of Communications and Information Technology Gyanendra Bahadur Karki. People are facing serious health impacts due to untimely management of garbage in the city. The situation is getting worse day by day said locals of KMC.
Following widespread pressure from all sectors, Kathmandu Metropolitan City yesterday mobilised hundreds of security force around Bancharedanda Sanitary Landfill Site to transport Kathmandu's waste there.
At least 500 security personnel were mobilised around the landfill site. Police were mobilised around the tops of every small hill from where protesting locals pelted stones at sanitary workers and vehicles. Locals in the area also informed that police were mobilised around private houses, fields and all gathering points in the Bancharedanda area to stop vehicles ferrying waste.
Kathmandu's waste has not been managed on a regular basis for over three months largely due to the protest of local people. After making a pact with the government on June 7, the locals had allowed the KMC to dump waste unhindered.
However, the incessant monsoon rains hindered waste management due to bad road condition. Meanwhile, some people vandalised vehicles transporting waste about a week ago, despite the agreement.
Kathmandu valley produces more than 1,200 metric tonnes of garbage on a daily basis.
A version of this article appears in the print on August 15, 2022 of The Himalayan Times.
