Kathmandu: Kathmandu Mayor Balendra Shah has shed light on the capital’s persistent waste management challenges and the strides made by his team to find sustainable solutions. In a recent Facebook post, Shah highlighted the efforts taken before and after the local elections, where waste management was a key campaign topic.
After being elected, the Mayor and his team evaluated various waste management models from countries like India, China, and Japan. Among these, Indore’s approach stood out as a potential model, offering valuable insights despite its initial failures and eventual improvements. For over a year, the Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) has been working closely with experts from Indore to adapt their model for Nepal.
Despite KMC’s proactive measures, including legal reforms and pilot projects in select wards, several obstacles emerged. Notably, a company named Nepwest filed a legal case that disrupted KMC’s waste management efforts. Mayor Shah pointed out that this was not the first time Nepwest had created hurdles, emphasizing that the company has consistently used its influence for profit. Shah expressed concern over the company’s ties and influence that extended even to discussions during high-profile international visits by government officials.
Shah also highlighted the lack of cooperation from neighboring municipalities and interference from the federal government. He claimed that the central government has focused on using waste management as a political tool rather than supporting a sustainable solution, thereby infringing on KMC’s jurisdiction.
Despite these challenges, KMC received favorable support from the judiciary, which ruled in its favor, enabling the continuation of its waste management initiatives. Mayor Shah reiterated his commitment to finding a lasting solution, calling for political impartiality and support from all stakeholders. He affirmed that sustainable waste management is a right of the residents of Kathmandu and crucial for justice for affected communities like Sisdol and Banchare Danda, who have borne the brunt of unmanaged waste for years.
Mayor Shah concluded by stating, “We are on the path to solving this issue, and while more challenges may arise, we will move forward without compromise. The days of politicizing waste management are over. We urge all to set aside political biases and cooperate with the city’s efforts.”
This declaration underlines KMC’s determination to prioritize the well-being of its residents and ensure a cleaner, more dignified future for the capital.
