Already, people residing in and around the accumulating wastes in different parts of the town are talking about launching their own campaign to get the garbage removed from their localities. “When people can’t pass by the garbage without covering their noses, how do you expect us to bear the foul smell day in and day out?” asked a resident of Main Road.

A divide is also emerging between a section of the population and the people residing in the vicinity of the old dump yard. “They are being unnecessarily rigid. Who asked them to settle in the area knowing very well that it was a dump yard,” said a taxi driver.

Yogendra Ghatani, a resident of Bhalukhop, however, said: “We have long been demanding the shifting of the dump yard. Every time we meet the authorities, they seek time, and then forget the matter completely. This time round we will not budge.”

Mukul Sengupta, mayor-in-council, (conservancy) of the SMC, said he was yet to receive any proposal from the Kalimpong civic body.

“Our own dumping ground is almost full and we are having to tackle problems of our own. I do not see how we can agree to their request if any,” Sengupta said. Siliguri gets 400 tonnes of solid wastes daily.