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Villagers raise a stink over waste plant, blame officials
People living near the only solid waste treatment plant in Dehradun have complained of garbage stench coming out of the facility, saying civic officials are not working towards tackling the problem
People living near the only solid waste treatment plant in Dehradun have complained of garbage stench coming out of the facility, saying civic officials are not working towards tackling the problem.
Residents of Silaqui organised a mahapanchayat on Sunday to discuss the putrid smell emanating from the treatment plant located at Shishambara, around 20 km from Dehradun. Earlier, the villagers had reportedly submitted a complaint to the Dehradun municipal corporation about the problem.
“The municipal corporation is using open vehicles to transport garbage, because of which the entire area is filled with a stench,” said Samsad Ali, a resident of Shishambara.
“Besides this, the plant is unable to treat the quantity of waste that is brought here. As a result, the waste remains dumped and foul smell emanates from it.”
Ali said people have repeatedly approached the authorities about the problem, but to no avail. “We are worried that the situation may worsen during monsoon when mosquitoes are in abundance. The plant should not have been set up here since this is a residential area and many families are involved in farming,” he added.
The treatment plant in Shishambara was first proposed in 2008 under the Centre’s Integrated Municipal Solid Waste Management Project to streamline waste disposal in the state capital. It faced roadblocks and was finally inaugurated last year.
The plant has two main parts -- a waste-processing unit for recyclable items and a scientific landfill site. The latter is aimed at helping disposal of garbage, unlike the open waste disposal site or ‘trenching ground’ on the Sahastradhara Road that was earlier used for dumping garbage.
It is estimated that Dehradun generates over 350 metric tonnes of solid waste everyday.
Azad Ali, a local Congress leader, said, “We have been protesting against the plant because the stench emanating from it is very harmful. The authorities concerned should take immediate measures to address the issue.”
