Garbage started piling up on streets of Pokhara, city could not find a landfill

POKHARA: Pokhara Mayor Dhanraj Acharya stated that he would collect tickets in order to inspect the waste plant.

Following the relocation of the Pokhara 14 landfill due to the Pokhara International Airport, the journalist inquired, ‘How will Pokhara’s waste be managed now?’ ‘Now we will make a short-term arrangement,’ he replied. I’ll make a ticket to collect garbage income in Pokhara in a short time.’

The city did not care about the landfill transfer until about four years ago. Following the completion of the airport’s construction, the city must fill the old landfill.

However, as a new landfill could not be found in time, the waste is now piled up on the streets of Pokhara. Garbage trucks are overflowing with garbage. Garbage is now piled high in every Pokhara square and street. Pokhara stopped collecting garbage after the old landfill closed. ‘All of the vehicles are filthy. ‘There is no place to take it away,’ said a sanitation employee.

Pokhara took a short-term decision from the Executive to throw garbage in the Lame Aahal of Ward No. 32. The residents have warned against not throwing garbage.

Commercial flights will begin from Pokhara International Airport on Jan 1st. Moti Timilsina, Pokhara’s spokesperson, stated that efforts have been made to remove obstacles.

‘We are collaborating with them. ‘There has been some difficulty,’ he admitted, ‘there is no condition to collect garbage for a few more days. Work on the landfill is underway.’ He stated that Pokhara is looking for land to dump garbage in locations other than Lame Ahal.

Garbage has been piling up on the streets for four days, and the stench has spread throughout the city. Pokhara is expected to generate 180 tons of garbage per day. That waste was all disposed of in a landfill. Pokhara is now attempting to generate energy from waste.

Mayor Dhanraj Acharya stated that talks are being held with companies about producing electricity or gas. However, it is unknown when the plant will begin operations.

Land in Pokhara Wards 21, 22, and 33 is being sought for the establishment of a plant. Under the coordination of Pokhara 33 ward president Ramchandra Adhikari, a land search and recommendation committee was formed.

The committee has proposed three locations for land. According to Acharya, the environmental impact assessment work on those lands has progressed.

-Prakash Dhakal