Clash over dumping yard in Odisha capital

Odisha Sun Times Bureau
Bhubaneswar, Jun 6:

The Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC’s) plans to set up a waste treatment plant in Daruthenga village, on the outskirts of Odisha capital faced stiff opposition from the villagers today.

Men, women and children of the village marched in a rally to the site where the waste treatment plant of the BMC has been planned.

The villagers had clashes with the police who obstructed them in their march towards the waste treatment plant construction site.

“Our cattle are dying by eating polythene bags dumped here. Old and young are unable to breathe because of the stench coming out of the waste dumped here. Under no circumstances are we going to allow dumping of waste in Daruthenga panchayat area,” said Prasanta Routray, sarpanch Daruthenga panchayat.

“Because of dumping of waste here, our children are suffering from diseases like diarrhoea. We will die of diseases. We are not going to allow the dumping of wastes here,” said a woman protestor.

Villagers demanded immediate shifting of the garbage dumping yard from the village.

Villagers alleged that dumping of garbage was leading to pollution and an unhealthy atmosphere in the village.

As villagers had earlier opposed the dumping yard it had been decided to relocate it to Tulasadeipur.

While the decision to relocate the dumping yard remained to be implemented, a plan to set up a waste treatment plant in the village has been vehemently opposed by the villagers.

“India’s Prime Minister has sought a report on the matter. Everyone old, young, men and women of this area irrespective of party affiliation have been opposing it,” said Suresh Chandra Routray, a former minister, and senior Congress leader.

On the other hand, BMC Mayor Ananta Narayan Jena has claimed that everything was being done in conformity with the law and requested the locals to cooperate.

“The work has been undertaken in coordination with all departments. The opinion of all stakeholders has been taken so that no one is in trouble.  I would request all to cooperate and take the project ahead,” Jena reacting on today’s incident .