By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Aug 26: In a bid to nurture greener localities, the KHADC on Saturday, dedicated 19 garbage trucks to different Dorbar Shnongs which fall under the villages within its jurisdiction.
The trucks were released by the KHADC Chief Executive Member (CEM), Pyniaid Sing Syiem, at Mawarling Football Ground, Umpling.
The waste collection trucks were later handed over to the various Dorbar Shnongs by the respective local MDCs.
The respective localities have been given the responsibility for the upkeep of the trucks.
Executive Member in-charge of Development, Carness Sohshang, said that the Dorbar Shnongs would have to sign an undertaking with the Council before taking over the vehicles.
“These vehicles should only be used for the purpose of waste collection. The responsibility of drivers, who should have proper experience, will fall under the jurisdiction of the community,” he added while addressing the gathering.
Informing that the Council has spent a sum of Rs 4.47 crore on purchasing these waste collection trucks, Sohshang also informed that the cost of each of the 18 bigger trucks is Rs 23.68 lakh while one mini truck which was allocated to Lumshyiap Dorbar Shnong cost Rs 20.96 lakh. Meanwhile, the CEM said that this is the first phase of the Solid Waste Management Programme of the Council to be implemented within the scheduled areas.
Others present on the occasion were Deputy CEM Pynshngaiñ N Syiem, Council Chairman Lamphrang Blah, District Council Affairs department Joint Secretary, Aldealyne Nikhla, and other executive members.
It may be mentioned that the Council had come up with the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (Solid Waste Management) Act, 2020, with the intention to work closely with the various villages and localities for the maintenance of cleanliness.
The executive committee of the KHADC had constituted a Solid Waste Management Cell (SWMC).
The SWMC would facilitate, carry out and oversee the implementation of the Act and Rules framed and formulate policy, guidelines, norms, standards and orders for effective implementation of solid waste management in the entire jurisdiction of the Council.
It will also ensure provisions for the setting up of centres for collection, segregation and storage of segregated wastes besides encouraging formation of self-help groups to provide training on solid waste management and involve communities in waste management at community-level to control and maintain hygienic conditions.