Mounds of garbage dot Imphal city
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, May 07 2019: Following the prohibition on disposal of waste materials at Lamdeng Solid Waste Management Plant, Imphal West, large mounds of garbage and waste materials are now creating serious problems at different parts of Imphal city.

These areas are so dirty and stinky that people feel disgusted while crossing the particular points.

Meanwhile, a team of MAHUD, PDA and MSPDCL officials led by Manipur Planning Board Deputy Chairman S Rajen today made a spot assessment of the Lamdeng Solid Waste Management Plant along with officials of RAMKY Industries which is engaged in generating electricity out of the waste materials disposed there.

The officials also talked with local people who have been prohibiting disposal of waste materials there.

Following an assurance from the Government officials that the grievances of their local people and their demands would be addressed soon, the local people agreed to lift the ban on disposal of waste materials at the solid waste management plant.

Soon after the ban was lifted, IMC started removing waste materials piled up at different points of Imphal city since this afternoon.

However, big mounds of garbage and waste materials were seen at different points of Thangal Bazar, Alu Gali, Dharamsala, Khoyathong road etc as this reporter went to different locations of Imphal city this afternoon.

Along Nagamapal Road, big mounds of garbage and waste materials were seen being removed using excavator and tippers.

Yet, large mounds of waste materials could be seen unmoved at different places.

As the garbage and waste materials have been piling up for days, they have become quite rotten and they are already emanating a very foul smell thereby causing serious inconveniences and health risks to vendors, customers as well as passers-by.

The situation is so bad that people feel disgusted to visit any place around Khwairamband Keithel.

The work of collecting and disposing waste materials in IMC Ward No 27 and other areas beyond the jurisdiction of IMC are done by NGOs including household wastes.

But their work was suspended since April 30 following the ban on disposal of waste materials at Lamdeng.

With no alternative site for disposal, waste materials were piling up at different locations for the past seven days.

It was Khwairamband Keithel which was worst affected by the suspension of waste disposal work.

There are still many large mounds of waste materials.

It is estimated that Imphal city alone generates around 120 tonnes of waste materials in a day.

During the meeting held today at Lamdeng, MSPDCL agreed to string necessary electric wires for the power generated at the solid waste management plant.

Notably, the solid waste management plant has already started generating power.

Moreover, Rs one crore has been sanctioned and deposited with PDA for construction of compound fence around the treatment plant but the same work cannot be initiated yet as the election model code of conduct is still in force, said a source.

Waste materials disposed at the plant are treated properly and converted to compost while those materials which cannot be dissolved are used for generating electricity.

Liquid effluents discharged from the plant does not pose any risk as they have been properly treated, said the source.

Nonetheless, the Government officials assured that liquid effluents would be checked to the maximum level from being discharged into the surrounding areas, added the source.

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