Wed Sep 18 01:15:18 UTC 2024: ## Kathmandu’s Transformation: From Garbage-Strewed Streets to Blooming Sidewalks

**Kathmandu, September 18, 2024:** The once notorious garbage-ridden streets of Kathmandu are now a testament to a dramatic transformation, thanks to the new administration of Mayor Balendra Shah.

Previously, the capital city faced a severe sanitation crisis with overflowing trash bins and piles of refuse littering sidewalks. Aman Kumar Singh, a visually impaired resident, used to navigate his way through the city with a stick and his singing, constantly wary of the hazards posed by garbage. “I had to be exceptionally careful to avoid getting tangled in trash,” he recalled.

Similarly, Binay Sigdel, a stationery shop owner, described the unpleasant conditions surrounding his business, “The stench was unbearable… We used to have to close our noses due to the smell.”

However, over the past year, a new wave of cleanliness has swept through Kathmandu. “Now, I can walk with ease. I don’t have to worry about fighting through dirt,” Singh rejoiced, noting the noticeable improvement.

Sigdel echoed this sentiment, “The environment around my shop is clean. We can now walk safely and enjoy a cleaner, more pleasant environment.”

Mayor Shah’s administration has implemented a multi-pronged approach to tackle the sanitation issue. Daily road cleaning and maintenance, regardless of weather conditions, are now routine. New gardens are blooming in spaces that were previously wastelands.

The Kathmandu Metropolitan City has also expanded its waste management resources, employing 1,000 sanitation workers and increasing the budget by 20%. New equipment, including brooms, jets, tippers, and tractors, are being utilized to ensure efficient waste collection. The city now manages the collection of 250 tons of waste daily, with a focus on moving towards internal management of all wards.

The city has also made significant strides in river management. Instead of simply removing visible debris, the administration is tackling the root cause of pollution by addressing the discharge of sewage and wastewater into the rivers. A separate corridor is being constructed along riverbanks to channel wastewater away from the rivers.

These initiatives demonstrate a commitment to a cleaner, healthier Kathmandu. The transformation, as Mayor Shah asserts, is a testament to how “effective leadership can drive significant urban improvements.”

The city is not only cleaner but also safer, with a reduction in flooding during the monsoon season due to improved river flow.

This dramatic shift has breathed new life into Kathmandu, restoring its vibrancy and providing a cleaner, healthier environment for its residents.

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