Foul odour irks pedestrians

SHILLONG: An unpleasant smell caught the attention of several pedestrians walking along the stretch of road leading to the Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU), situated within NEHU campus.
The foul odour originating from the Marten dumping ground is even more pronounced as one enters the Sports Authority of India (SAI) campus, also within the NEHU campus.
According to sources from SAI, the foul smell originates from the “dumping ground near Barapani”. Certain areas around the 30 acre SAI premises reek of garbage as well.
A SAI hosteller informed reporters that the stench from the Marten dumping ground can be sensed even during rainy days. However, he said that the stench does not bother them when they practice their games and sports.
“People can get a bird’s eye view of the marten from the hostel terrace,” he said.
The state government has also found itself in a sticky situation after stiff opposition arose from residents of Umlaiteng and Mawdiengngan to convert some areas to a dumping ground. It may be mentioned that the government is currently on the hunt for a different location to set up a dumping ground and will likely settle for a new area in Ri-Bhoi.