Chandigarh, Aug 20 - A multi-million rupee solid waste management plant has literally raised a stink in Chandigarh, one of the greenest cities in the country, prompting numerous complaints from residents.

A foul smell emanates from residential areas within an eight-kilometre radius of the municipal corporation plant located in Dadu Majra in Sector 25 (west). Improper implementation of guidelines is being blamed for it.

'The smell is really unbearable. We have got many complaints about the working of the plant and decided to take up the issue with officials looking after the plant. Very soon things will be in order,' Chander Mukhi Sharma, chairman of the sanitation committee of Chandigarh, told IANS.

'During our inspection, we found that things were not in order at the plant. They are not following the guidelines, as there is a complete ban on the burning of garbage in Chandigarh, but workers were burning it.'

Ironically, the plant was aimed at making the city free of stench and pollution and providing eco-friendly fuel.

Kamlesh, the mayor of Chandigarh, told IANS, 'The main reason behind the foul smell is that the waste management plant is not fully operational till now. Moreover, they are not following the right procedure of solid waste processing.'

'The countless complaints that I was getting every day compelled me to go there personally to check the plant. There were many irregularities but now we will try to end the problem at the earliest,' she said.