The lack of concrete plans for an alternative waste management site by Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) has led the people of the Kathmandu valley to suffer at the outmost level. Currently, the garbage pile-up situation in the valley is a result of garbage not being picked up on time, attributed to a lack of agreements with Sisdol locals.
Kathmandu’s waste is currently being managed at Sisdol. However, the residents of the Sisdol area are repeatedly obstructing the waste management process given the garbage has been piled up in the area, which has disrupted the daily work of the locals. Meanwhile, the fear of “health hazard too is at an extreme level,” shared Umesh Koirala, one of the locals residing in the Sisdol area.
The KMC had selected Banchare Danda in Nuwakot as a sustainable solution to waste management. But like in every other KMC plan, this too seems to be taking a lot of time. “All the plans are being made and we are working to get the land and turn it into a waste management site step by step,” shared Ishwar Man Dangol, Spokesperson of KMC.
Further explaining the reason in delay, he further elaborated, “In order to acquire the land in Banchare Danda, an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) has to be assessed and compensation has to be made for the land. Therefore, we are not able to dump waste in Nuwakot.”
Spokesperson Dangol further accusing the government for a delay in processing of the land acquirement, said, “The government is responsible for acquiring land and giving compensation for it. If it is done by the government on a timely basis, then there will be sustainable waste management in the capital as well. However, the requirement for land for the purpose can only be assessed after EIA. Based on this, the work will start only after the land is cleared and the compensation is distributed.’’
As per KMC data, at present, 500 metric tons of garbage from KMC and 1,000 metric tons of garbage from Kathmandu Valley are being managed in Sisdol. KMC had taken a lease on Sisdol for the dumping of waste 12 years ago.
Because of the lack of a sustainable waste management plan, the streets of Kathmandu Valley have been turned into open dumping grounds. While the public is met with an unpleasant sight and odour, such dumping of waste in public areas opens several health risk possibilities which could affect the entire community.
According to Mahesh Kumar Kafle, Assistant spokesperson of KMC, garbage has not been collected as the Pasang Lambhu Highway to Sisdol is under construction. Garbage collection in the Kathmandu Valley has been obstructed time and again, sometimes due to the obstruction of locals and other times due to road construction. Kafle said that as soon as the locals of Sisdol obstruct garbage management, waste piles up on Kathmandu roads immediately.
The only solution is an alternative sustainable waste management area in Banchare Danda.
Though concerned stakeholders have been calling for the waste management job to be transferred to a private company for proper regulation, no formal efforts have been made yet.
‘’Even though the process has now reached the office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers, completion of the work is yet to be ascertained,” said Spokesperson Dangol regarding giving the responsibility to the private company Dangol.
He added, “Only after the process is approved by the Council of Ministers will it be open to a private company.”
Meanwhile, it has been learnt that the Project Development Agreement was signed between the Investment Board Nepal and NepWest Company Pvt. Ltd. However, no movements have been observed after that.
