The alleys and major road sections of Patan and Lagankhel area strewn with garbage and household wastes clearly explains the present situation. For over two days, piles of household wastes have been left to rot in open.According to Hari Shrestha, a local at Mangal Bazaar, piles of garbage have been left unchecked for almost two days as no authority concerned has come to pick waste.
"The stench is unbearable. One can hardly pass the road and breathe in open air. I really did not expect this during such festive month of Dashain," said Shrestha.
When inquired about the piled garbage, Pradip Amatya, Chief of Environment Management Division (EMD) of Lalitpur Sub Metropolitan City Office, turned the blame on the shortage of fuel.
"On normal days, we need at least 400 liters of diesel to run our trippers to collect the waste. This is not possible now as we are cut off from regular supply of fuel. Petrol pumps are offering us diesel but the change in their distribution routine has created this mess in Lagankhel area," said Amatya.
"Once we refuel our vehicles, the area will get cleansed in no matter of time," he assured.
Kathmandu Metropolitan City Office (KMC) operates over 250 trippers for garbage collection on a normal day. But over the past few days, this number has cut down to between 150 and 175 a day.
It has been estimated that over 300 tons of garbage gets collected from Kathmandu valley every day. However, as per present record KMC has been collecting only 200 tons per day.
Meanwhile, Rabin Man Singh, Chief of Environment Management Division (EMD) of KMC said they are trying their best to cope up with the situation and collect as much garbage as possible.
"It's obvious to have this problem when the whole country is affected by this dire shortage of fuel but we are trying our best to collect every possible waste product. Thanks to various petrol pumps, we have been provided with fuel for the collection," said Shrestha.
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