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Friday, March 29, 2024

Govt trying to acquire land in Ri Bhoi’s Kyrdem for waste disposal project: Sniawbhalang Dhar

We are trying to make people aware that the government is not going to dump garbage in open space and that everything will be guided as per the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016, he said

SHILLONG:

Minister-in-charge Urban Affairs department Sniawbhalang Dhar, on March 7, said the government is trying its best to set up a new landfill in Ri Bhoi district at the earliest.

“We are trying to acquire (approximately 200.00 acres) land in Kyrdem village, Ri Bhoi for setting up waste disposal project,” Dhar informed in his reply to a query raised by All India Trinamool Congress (AITC) legislator from Umroi, George B Lyngdoh in the Assembly on the second day of the ongoing budget session.

He informed that a public hearing was held on January 8 and a presentation on the details of the proposed project was highlighted to the public of the area.

Dhar, however, said there are few groups who opposed the proposed waste disposal project and a final report on the matter is being awaited from the Ri Bhoi deputy commissioner.

He further assured that the government will not go against the wishes of the people. “Any decision taken by the government will be after taking the people on board,” he said.

“Therefore, the detailed project report (DPR) will be finalised once everything is okay,” Dhar added.

The assurance was made after Lyngdoh expressed concern over the failure of the department to conduct a proper survey creating chaos among the people of the area since there are many streams and water sources surrounding the proposed land.

Lyngdoh also requested the department to take the local MLAs into consideration before implementing such important projects. According to him, he was caught unaware until residents of the area sought his intervention.

Dhar however assured that the government will examine the matter once the report is received from the Ri Bhoi DC.

Suspended Congress legislator from Mawlai Process T Sawkmie cited the prevailing situation at Jowai town in West Jaintia Hills due to absence of permanent landfill and urged the government to address the garbage issue.

To this, the minister said that the government is serious about the issue and that having a new landfill is very important. “Therefore, we are trying our best to have new landfills at the earliest possible,” he added.

Stating that acquisition of land for landfill is a common phenomenon, AITC leader and Nongthymmai legislator Charles Pyngrope suggested the need for the government to explain that landfills are not dangerous or detrimental to the environment and whatever gets disposed of there, will be treated as per required norms.

When Pyngrope sought to know the hazardous and non-hazardous waste that the department proposed to use this landfill in Ri Bhoi, Dhar said, “We are trying to make (the people) aware that the government is not going to dump garbage in open space and that everything will be guided as per the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016.”

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