Garbage was a talking point for the second day in a row in the Assembly as opposition MLAs raised the matter of Jowai, which has seen garbage piling up in the town on a regular basis because of the lack of a dedicated landfill.
Mawsynram MLA Himalaya Shangpliang of the Trinamool Congress (TMC) warned that what is happening in Jowai today could happen to Shillong in the coming years.
Referring to photos and media clips of garbage being piled up in front of the Deputy Commissioner’s office in Jowai, Shangpliang said that Ïawmusiang market pays a service tax to the Jowai Municipal Board but, still, the municipality is unable to clear the waste generated from the market and other locations in the town.
TMC leader Dr Mukul Sangma told the government to make use of emergent technologies that make garbage management a less messy process and which will help persuade people to be more willing to accept landfills.
Mawlai MLA Process Sawkmie has Marten, Shillong’s dumping ground, within his own constituency. The people of Mawlai have periodically protested against the landfill site, complaining about the stench and the risk to the health and wellbeing of the people if waste leaks out and pollutes water bodies.
Sawkmie today reminded the Assembly that Marten will fill up eventually, maybe as soon as three years, and Shillong will then have similar problems as Jowai if it does not find suitable new land.
In response, Urban Affairs Minister Sniawbhalang Dhar said that Jowai is facing problems at present because seven villages opposed the dumping of garbage due to non-scientific waste disposal. Currently, the municipality is using temporary sites to dispose of garbage. A public hearing was recently held in Thadlaskein, where the government is hoping to acquire 100 acres for a landfill, and a report is awaited from the Deputy Commissioner into the meeting.
