To protest against the failure of the authorities to shift garbage dumping site, the members of the joint council of four colonies under Dimapur Municipal Council (DMC) on Monday blocked all garbage-laden vehicles of the municipal council for more than six hours, which compelled parliamentary secretary for Municipal Affairs and Economics & Statistics R. Tohanba and other senior government officials to visit the area to assess the situation.
The joint council of North block sector-A, united North block sector-B, Naga colony and Sunrise colony have demanded immediate shifting of the garbage dumping area to a different location.
They protested saying that the dumping of garbage in the present location was causing environmental degradation of the adjoining areas making the place unfit for dwelling and also posing a grave health hazard to the people living in the area.
Expressing anguish over inaction by authorities, joint council pointed out that they had given an ultimatum on December 2015 concerning the issue to the deputy commissioner, Dimapur and DMC.
However, they said authorities did not pay any heed to the grievances of the residents compelling them to block the vehicles.
Meanwhile, parliamentary secretary Tohanba after visiting the site and seeing the plight of the residents of the four colonies described it as a failure of the authorities.
He said the authorities would act on the basis of ultimatum submitted by the joint council members to shift the garbage dumping place to another location within stipulated time frame.
With regard to this, Tohanba appealed to the GBs and members to give another final date for a month for settlement of the issue, which was accepted by joint council. He further assured to take up necessary action at the earliest.
Secretary municipal affairs Moangwati Aier, DMC administrator Atokhe Ayemi, SDO (civil) Moa Sangtam, government officials and others also visited the site.