A nearly 21ha landfill in Ta Kream commune’s Poi Svay village of Battambang province’s Banan district was inaugurated on March 20 as part of the second “Urban Environment Management in the Tonle Sap Basin” project, which is being funded through a loan from the Asian Development Bank (ADB).

The inauguration ceremony for the landfill took place on March 20 and was attended by Ministry of Public Works and Transport Sun Chanthol, Battambang governor Sok Lou and ADB representative in Cambodia Siti Hasanah.

According to the public works ministry, the project covered a total area of 20.8ha of land which officials estimate will be in operation until 2032 with a storage capacity of 313,703 cubic metres. It will serve the people of Battambang town and districts nearby.

Approximately 126,000 people are expected to benefit from the landfill, it said, noting that the project also contributes to the maintenance and protection aimed at ensuring the long-term sustainability of infrastructure.

Lou said rubbish issues are still a concern that needs to be addressed urgently, as currently waste collection and transportation services in the province are slow and the amount that needs to be disposed of keeps increasing from day to day.

“This landfill is very important for the province ... The success will also depend on the company collecting the rubbish from the town and urban areas. If the company collects it all regularly, it will make our town beautiful,” said Lou.