Garbage management is a perennial issue in the capital city. This time around too, people are destined to see heaps of garbage in the nooks and corners of the city that have remained uncollected for days. The undisposed waste has not only spread foul smell but also has added problems smooth movement of vehicular traffic and pedestrians. Major streets littered with piles of garbage dumped by households, shops, hotels, businesses and offices not only give an eyesore but also put public health at risk.

The Kathmandu metro denizens are repeatedly vexed by the problem as landfill site issue is raised time and again by the local people raising various demands. The major reason behind the problem is related to selection, management and operation of landfill site. The cause of obstruction this time is also not new. The local people along the Pasang Lhamu Highway, the road leading to the Sisdole landfill site in Nuwakot district located north-west of the capital, have been obstructing garbage disposal for the past one week, demanding the upgradation of the highway. No doubt, the condition of the road where heavy trucks and dumpers carrying garbage operate every day, should be good. But carrying out necessary works takes time. The concerned people should be assured about this and persuaded to stop the obstruction.

The landfill site at Sisdole is already running out of space calling for alternative arrangements. The proposed operation of alternative landfill site at Banchare Danda of Nuwakot, is still in limbo. Sisdole was originally meant to be a temporary dumping ground for three years. However, this landfill site has been serving as an only place to dump waste generated by the capital city for over one and half decade. Operating a landfill site is environmentally sensitive issue, so it is important to make sure that the liquid from the site does not leak and pollute the water sources. Tree plantation and other environmental safety measures should be carried out to keep the natural setting intact and healthy.

The residents of the valley have complained about stinking roadside and market areas but they should be sensitive and careful not to dump the trash haphazardly. The household garbage should be dumped in a specific area in a disciplined manner. That is not happening. Many people sneak out at dark hours to throw their garbage bags at any place they like. Such lack of civic sense only makes the matter worse. Concerned government agencies should work in coordination to solve the problem. The nation has adopted federal model of governance system with the promulgation of the new constitution in 2015 and the constitution has envisaged cooperation among the federal, provincial and local levels for the development of the nation. Every problem can be resolved when people's representatives work in a cooperative and coordinated manner.

Concerned authorities should take the issue of waste management seriously and find ways to solve the problem permanently. Political stakeholders should reach an agreement to develop a functional mechanism and nobody should be playing an obstructive role. The problems faced by the local residents should be duly addressed. As unmanaged municipal waste can create public health and environmental problems, there is urgency for finding a permanent solution.