Waste management plant lying defunct, locals threaten to shut it down from June 1
Plant turned into dumping site
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, May 10 2026: Solid waste management plant or a dumping ground ? Concerns have emerged over the functioning of the Solid Waste Management Plant at Lamdeng, with locals threatening to shut it down from June 1 .

These concerns reflect that waste management remains a long-standing issue in the State.

According to the locals, the Government had envisioned generating electricity and producing fertilizers from the facility, which was set up in 2007 .

However, they said, the Government is unable to operate the plant properly, let alone generate electricity.

The facility has been non-functional since 2015, yet waste continues to be brought and dumped there, they said.

Waste management plant lying defunct, locals threaten to shut it down from June 1

Over the years, the accumulated garbage has transformed the site into a hill of waste.

They said that the dream of transforming Imphal into a smart city will not be possible without fully functional waste management facilities.

Speaking to the media at Lamdeng, Thoudam Netrajit, advisor of Lamdeng Apunba Lup, stated that household waste and trash collected from various areas and brought to the plant have overwhelmed not only the facility but also the surrounding locality.

It seems no one is managing the plant, he said.

Saying that they submitted a memorandum to the Government on April 26 to address the matter promptly, he warned that the waste management plant will be closed from June 1 if their demands are not entertained.

Netrajit said that the memorandum was submitted to the Chief Minister, Chief Secretary, MAHUD Principal Secretary, Director, Mayor of Imphal Municipal Council and Imphal West Deputy Commissioner.

In the memorandum, he stated that they urged the Government to implement specific measures to dispose of the large piles of garbage dumped in areas adjacent to the plant and to repair the solid waste management machinery, which has remained defunct for the past ten years or so.

He further stated that water from Langol Hill, which was traditionally used by the people of Lamdeng for agricultural purposes, has been severely affected due to contamination.

Around 30 pari (a local unit of land measurement) of paddy fields located near the plant have been unable to yield crops for many years, Netrajit said.

He urged the Government to construct a canal to ensure the smooth flow of water from Langol Hill to the paddy fields in Lamdeng.

Stating that many cattle and pets have died after consuming toxic material from the plant, he further urged the Government to construct fences around the facility.

He said that the lack of fencing around the facility, which was established nearly 20 years ago, has caused serious problems for the local community.

The contaminated water from the plant flows directly into the paddy fields at Lamdeng, he said and urged the Government to either treat it or divert its flow.

The facility's improper functioning has caused serious problems for the locals, including health issues and the inability to grow crops, among other impacts, Netrajit said.

He further urged the Government to repair the road leading to the facility.

Saying that the people of Lamdeng had donated 84 acres of land for the construction of the solid waste management plant, he added that they, however, have begun to lose faith in the trust they placed in it.

Netrajit stated that the plant was set up in 2007 to manage solid waste from Imphal Municipal areas only, but since 2015, waste from several other areas has also been brought to the facility.

The waste at the plant is on the verge of submerging the facility and urged, "Do not turn the plant and Lamdeng into a dumping ground" .

The Government had promised to generate electricity and produce fertilizers from the facility, but these assurances have failed completely, Netrajit asserted.

He added that the Government is unable to operate the plant efficiently, let alone generate electricity and urged the Government to understand the plight of the local people and address their grievances.