Hazaribag: Waste lifting to the Mandai Khurd dumping yard resumed on Wednesday after three to four hours of talks between villagers and the municipal corporation ended in a written agreement, bringing relief to Hazaribag residents. Villagers had stopped corporation vehicles since Sept 28, leaving garbage scattered at prominent chowks and in several mohallas.At a meeting in the panchayat building, both sides agreed to develop an alternative route for garbage vehicles, start a waste processing plant, control foul smell and address cases registered against villagers during the dispute.Under the agreement, the corporation will begin work on an alternative road so vehicles no longer use the village road. Until then, vehicles must move at a controlled speed between 9am and 2pm, and steps will be taken to minimise foul smell. The existing road will be repaired and maintained. In case of loss of life or property during garbage transport, the corporation and administration will support compensation.The corporation assured that the waste processing plant will be commissioned with machinery by Jan 2027, and local villagers will get priority in work opportunities.Hazaribag Ram Navami Mahasamiti president Laddu Yadav said villagers’ main demand was an alternative route. He said the corporation had agreed in writing to complete it in about three months, warning agitation would resume if promises were not met.Resident Rajkumar said villagers had suffered for nearly four years due to the dumping yard and eight-foot-wide road. Panchayat Samiti member Suresh Kumar Mahto said foul smell spread several kilometres and affected a nearby school.Mayor Arvind Rana confirmed waste transportation had resumed.
