The residents of Okharpauwa VDC, Nuwakot, have given the Kathmandu Metropolitan City one month to find an alternative to clear the Sisdol landfill site. They have also postponed their protest programme set to begin on February 13.

A meeting between a delegation from Okharpauwa and the KMC officials on Thursday signed a three-point memorandum, in which the KMC has agreed to form a high-powered committee to solve the problem caused by the landfill site, find a long-term solution to the problem, and deploy an inspection team from the Nepal Academy of Science to study the impacts of the landfill site in the area.

The delegation leader, Bishwas DC, said they withdrew their protest programme at the request of KMC Chief and Executive Officer Rudra Singh Tamang.

He, however, warned of launching a strong protest if the KMC fails to address their grievances this time.

Around 800 tonnes of solid wastes from 20 municipalities of Kathmandu Valley are being disposed of daily at Sisdol landfill site.

DC claimed that the landfill site has directly affected around 1,200 households in Nuwakot and Dhading districts. The Kathmandu Valley authorities are planning to relocate the landfill site to Banchare Danda in Nuwakot as an alternative.

To that end, the executives of the municipalities inside the Valley have formed a committee to conduct a study.