The Chisinau City Hall says it is aware of the grievances related to the construction and demolition waste dump at 36 Calea Ieșilor Street, and is working with the residents of the area to find solutions. In a statement issued by the Directorate of Public Relations and Civil Budget, the local administration asks that the issue not be politicized, IPN reports.
"The municipality has faced blockades from state institutions. We ask that they take note of our requests to obtain the necessary approvals," the City Hall's statement said.
The PAS faction in the Chisinau Municipal Council criticizes the activity of the landfill, accusing the local administration of violating the legislation. According to councilor Galina Comendant, "the Ghidighici quarry was supposed to be rehabilitated and recultivated, but Mayor Ion Ceban illegally turned it into a landfill. We call publicly for this activity to be stopped, the land to be recultivated and an optimal solution for waste recycling to be found", says the PAS councillor.
PAS councillors warn that the landfill is a source of pollution affecting the health and environment of local residents. They call for an immediate halt to the landfilling of waste at this location.
Residents of Chisinau and the suburbs, especially those in the Buiucani, Sculeanca, Petricani, Truseni, Vatra and Ghidighici sectors, are affected by a strong and devastating smell coming from an unauthorized dump at 36 Calea Ieșilor Street, located near their homes.
A Facebook group set up for the cause is encouraging the distribution of appeals and says all the institutions authorized to deal with the problem have been notified: "It burns continuously, toxic substances are released, affecting our health, soil, water, flora and fauna. There are acts banning the use of this land under garbage dumps, but zero result. And the General Directorate of Housing and Planning continues to sell vouchers for dumping garbage," reads a public appeal distributed on social networks.
In a separate reaction, the General Directorate of Locative-Communal Housing and Planning (DGLCA) said the landfill has been closed and only clay and soil for conservation are being transported there. "We request citizens to transport waste to authorized dumps and report non-compliant situations to the police," the DGLCA said.
A conflict with roots in 2022
The problems with the landfill at 36 Calea Iesilor Street began in 2022, when the Municipal Commission for Exceptional Situations (CSE) temporarily allowed the disposal of construction waste at the site, citing a state of emergency. According to Mayor Ion Ceban, the decision was taken to prevent waste collection in the city from being blocked after access to other platforms had been banned.
"It is regrettable that the government continues to put obstacles in our way. We have requested the support of the National Commission for Exceptional Situations to find sustainable solutions," the mayor declared in 2022.
The issue of the Calea Iesilor landfill remains a topic of heated debate, with mutual accusations between the Chisinau City Hall, PAS councillors and other authorities. Residents in the area continue to demand quick solutions, citing the negative impact on health and the environment.
