UMSNING : The Ri-Bhoi Area Welfare Association (RAWA) has urged the authorities to take immediate and permanent action over the persistent foul smell emanating from a landfill at Umsning Patarim, located near Sati Raja Memorial Secondary School.
In a grievance letter dated July 28, RAWA president Smt. Balakyntiew Umbah urged the Block Development Officer (BDO) of Umsning C&RD Block to conduct an urgent inspection of the landfill site and take necessary measures to address the issue.
According to RAWA, the persistent foul smell from the landfill has been causing serious inconvenience and distress to students, teachers, local residents and the general public in the surrounding area.
The association expressed particular concern over the landfill’s proximity to Sati Raja Memorial Secondary School, where students spend a significant part of their day.
RAWA said the situation was affecting the school environment and raising concerns over the health, hygiene and well-being of students, teachers and the surrounding community.
The association stated that it had repeatedly raised the issue with the Chairman of the Umsning Town Dorbar. On several occasions, a JCB had reportedly been used to pull and move accumulated rubbish from the site.
However, RAWA said these measures had only provided temporary relief and had failed to resolve the underlying problem, with the foul smell continuing to affect the community.
The association has called for an urgent inspection of the landfill and the implementation of permanent measures, including proper waste management, regular disposal and appropriate treatment of waste.
“As this issue has been raised repeatedly without a permanent solution, we earnestly appeal to your good office to intervene and take immediate action without further delay in the larger public interest,” the letter stated.
RAWA also urged the authorities to take necessary action at the earliest to ensure a clean, safe and healthy environment for students and the wider community.
A copy of the grievance letter has also been forwarded to the Deputy Commissioner of Ri Bhoi District for information and necessary intervention.