Dimapur City faces alarming garbage disposal crisis

With Dimapur City’s only dumping site near-saturation point and with no foreseeable alternative site, Dimapur is headed towards a serious sanitation crisis which has further exposed critical gaps in the city’s waste management system.
The Dimapur Municipal Council (DMC) has acknowledged that the existing dumping site at Sunrise Colony, Burma Camp- spread over about 56 bighas- can no longer sustain the growing waste load.
DMC CEO Thungchanbemo Tungoe said the site has reached its saturation point and cannot accommodate any more waste from outside agencies. As a result, 15 permit holders, including those neighbouring town councils, institutions and agencies, have been barred from using the facility. He also disclosed that several of the permit holders have pending user fees, adding further strain to the system.
Despite the restrictions, DMC continues to dispose of waste generated within municipal limits, as the city produces nearly 70–80 metric tonnes of waste daily. The CEO admitted that there is currently no alternative site, forcing the council to continue using the saturated dumping ground until a “scientific landfill” is identified.
He added that bio-remediation measures are underway at the existing site, with plans to eventually convert it into a green zone.
Efforts to shift operations to a new landfill at Dubagaon have failed to materialize, he said. Although the State government acquired around 32 bighas of land in September 2024, the site remains unused due to strong opposition from local residents as well as environmental concerns. Officials had pointed out that the site is located near water bodies and does not meet required environmental norms, thus making it unsuitable for waste disposal.
Highlighting the ground reality, East Dimapur Town Council chairperson Niuto Awomi described the situation as critical, adding that there is “no alternative” for waste disposal despite ongoing daily collection. He said the council collects around 9–10 metric tonnes of waste per day but has no designated dumping site, pushing the system to the brink. Awomi pointed out that Dubagaon, once considered a remote area, has now developed into a residential zone, making it unsuitable for a landfill. He also noted that resistance from communities has made it increasingly difficult to identify a new site, as “no one is willing to accept a dumping ground near their locality.”
Village authorities in Dubagaon, including local GBs and council representatives, said the No Objection Certificate (NOC) issued earlier was withdrawn after it became clear that the project involved a dumping ground rather than “scientific waste management.” They alleged that the nature of the project had not been clearly communicated initially.
The village leaders raised serious concerns over the site’s suitability, stating that it is low-lying and situated along a riverbank, making it highly vulnerable to flooding during monsoon. They warned that waste disposal in such an area could contaminate water sources and pose significant environmental and public health risks, not only for the village but also for downstream areas. They also highlighted infrastructural limitations, including narrow approach roads and nearby residential settlements, and asserted that they would strongly oppose any attempt to establish a dumping facility in the area.
Officials further admitted that systemic challenges continue to hinder effective waste management in Dimapur, particularly the lack of waste segregation at source and poor public cooperation. They stressed that without behavioural change alongside infrastructure development, even scientific waste management solutions would face limitations.
With joint representations already submitted to the Urban Municipal Affairs Department seeking allocation of a new landfill site, and no decision taken so far, Dimapur stands at a critical juncture. As waste generation continues unabated, the city risks facing garbage accumulation and a full-blown public health emergency unless urgent and coordinated intervention is undertaken.