Shillong, July 6: Concerned over the hazards of dumping of waste by other districts at the Marten dumping ground, which is already reeling under pressure to accommodate Shillong’s excess of waste, the Seng Samla (Youth organization) Mawlai Pyllun on Tuesday met Urban Affairs Minister Sniawbhalang Dhar to seek his intervention into the matter taking into consideration the health of the residents of the area.
The Marten dumping ground at Mawlai Nongkwar houses a Solid Waste Management facility and a Biomedical Waste Treatment Plant.
Last week Mawlai legislator PT Sawkmie had flagged the issue of dumping of waste at marten by trucks from other districts, in particular from West Jaintia Hills. Following this, the Seng Samla Mawlai pyllun has made a field inspection on June 30 and witnessed many failure of the Waste Management plan.
General Secretary of Seng Samla Mawlai Pyllun, Samran Syiem said, “This (dumping at marten by other districts) is very unpleasant event which causes frustration to people of Mawlai and many unanswered questions are left, this is because of mismanagement of the government.”
Problems with Solid Waste Management facility and Biomedical Waste Treatment Plant
The representatives of the Seng Samla said the National Green Tribunal (NGT) in 2019 had imposed a fine of Rs. 8,60,000 on the Meghalaya Pollution Control Board for failing to comply with criteria of the NGT. “Even on imposing a hefty fine by the NGT, the land is still functioning and operating without any improvement in the criteria as laid down by the Bio Medical Waste Act 2016,” Syiem said.
He mentioned that biomedical waste is a very threatening matter to the people of Mawlai since the waste is not being treated according to the Bio Medical Waste Act 2016. He claimed that the smoke emitted from the waste plan is ten times dangerous than the smoke coming from the factory and from the Marten.
Minister to inspect the site
The Seng Samla informed that the Minister has given a positive response and promised to inspect the Biomedical Waste treatment plant and the Solid Waste Management facility at Mawlai Nongkwar.
The Seng Samla hoped that the minister will witness the failures of the State Pollution Control Board and the Municipal Board in disposing the waste and issue directives for corrective measures.
They hoped that the Government will take the matter seriously so it won’t pressurize the people of Mawlai to come out on the streets.
Meanwhile, the Syiem shared that no medical reports have shown health issues relating to Bio Medical Waste plant and Solid waste Management plant at Mawlai Nongkwar.
