Civic workers start removing garbage from Kalimpong roads

By: Nisha Chettri
KALIMPONG: Stench from garbage strewn around on all roads and lanes of Kalimpong since April had been choking people in the hill town. Apart from being a major health hazard, the garbage piles were an eyesore for five long months.
From Monday, though, Kalimpong residents were relieved to see civic workers removing garbage from roads. The last time garbage accumulated on Kalimpong's roads was during the 2017 Gorkhaland agitation.
The genesis to the problem lies in a fire that broke out on April 12 at Kalimpong's lone garbage dump yard at Lower Newar Gaon in Bhalukhop, five km from the town. The yard was ablaze for weeks. Enraged locals of Lower Newar Gaon accused Kalimpong Municipality of carelessness in its waste management practices. Locals also vowed to prevent civic workers from dumping garbage at the yard. Consequently, garbage piled up on roads and lanes across Kalimpong town since the landfill at the yard caught fire.
The impasse between locals and the civic body was finally resolved on September 13. On that day, the civic body signed an agreement with villagers, who agreed to allow garbage dumping for another 18 months.
Civic chairman Rabi Pradhan has assured villagers that the municipality will abide by their terms.