KASKI, Feb 14: In the tourist capital Pokhara, garbage that had remained uncollected for two weeks began to be cleared from Thursday evening. The accumulation of trash along roadsides and market squares had caused a persistent stench across the city.
Garbage collection had been stalled because the temporary waste management center at Lameahal, Pokhara Metropolitan City (PMC)-32, was full. Although the metropolitan office searched for land in several locations for waste management, these efforts were unsuccessful. With piles of trash accumulating not only along roadsides, squares, and around electricity poles but also on main streets, the stench in the markets had worsened.
PMC Mayor Dhana Raj Acharya stated that garbage collection vehicles began operating sequentially from Thursday evening. He also urged the public not to dispose of waste on public roads or open spaces. However, the metropolitan office has not yet disclosed where the collected waste will be managed.
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“Pokhara Metropolitan is actively engaged in temporary, short-term, and permanent waste management measures and has made some immediate arrangements. We request residents to patiently wait until the vehicles arrive. Since garbage has been accumulating for many days, the first one or two days may see heavier pressure, but we appeal to the public not to dispose of trash in public areas or open spaces,” Mayor Acharya said.
He added that all accumulated garbage is expected to be cleared by Saturday. The PMC has also stated that if trash is found indiscriminately dumped in public areas, monitoring teams will take immediate action on the spot.
The waste management problem arose after large amounts of garbage were generated during the Gen Z movement, which filled the Lameahal landfill site. Although the metropolitan office sought alternative sites for waste management, local opposition prevented progress.
On Wednesday, the PMC convened an all-party and stakeholder meeting to coordinate waste management efforts. During the meeting, it was agreed that all garbage in PMC would be collected within 72 hours with support from political parties. The PMC has also initiated the construction of a waste processing center in PMC-33 as a permanent solution.
However, local residents have protested. Due to this opposition, other construction work at the processing center has not progressed. The metropolitan office faced protests for proceeding with the selection of a private company and construction of the waste processing center without full coordination or consensus with the local community.
