SHILLONG, July 15 - The State Capital Shillong is facing a serious challenge in waste management as the dumping ground at Marten in the city suburbs is 80 years old and can no longer manage the city�s burgeoning waste.
The State Government has been trying to identify a separate site for disposal of the city�s waste at different places. However, on several occasion opposition from local residents has made things difficult as people abhor the idea of having a dumping site anywhere close to their village or localities.
It�s precisely for this reason that residents of Mawlai area, where Marten is located, has been urging the Government to close the dumping ground and find an alternative site for the city�s waste.
In this regard, Mawlai MDC Teibor Pathaw today sought the immediate intervention of Urban Affairs department, saying the dumping site is emanating stench, which is causing health problems to the residents.
Pathaw said: �the stench emitting from the dumping ground at Marten is unbearable. This place has been used for dumping garbage for the past 80 years now. He further pointed out that the dumping ground is on the National Highway 44 and it�s unpleasant welcome for any tourist visiting the State Capital.
Meanwhile, the Government has informed that a new dumping site has been identified at Umpling, Lawjynriew and waste from areas falling under the Shillong Municipal Board would be dumped in this new site.
Moreover, another dumping site has been identified at Lumdiengngan village in Mawsynram Tehsil, East Khasi Hills, as an alternative site to be developed into a dumping ground and the disposal of the garbage would be done in a scientific way.
�The Minister has also told us that the government is currently planning to construct a compost plant at Mawlai to reduce the waste material at Marten,� Pathaw said. The MDC was also informed by the Minister that a Korean company recently visited Marten to find ways to generate electricity from the waste.
