Srinagar, Feb 13 (JKNS): The Government of Jammu and Kashmir on Friday acknowledged environmental and public health concerns surrounding the Achan garbage dumping site in Srinagar, stating that scientific remediation and phased closure measures are underway in compliance with existing rules.
Replying to a question tabled by MLA Shamim Firdous, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, who is also Minister In-Charge of the Housing & Urban Development Department, in a written reply informed the House that the Achan site has historically served as the municipal solid waste disposal facility for Srinagar city.
The government said that due to the accumulation of legacy waste over several decades, environmental and public health concerns have been reported from time to time. It added that these concerns are acknowledged and that the Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) has initiated comprehensive scientific interventions in strict compliance with the Solid Waste Management (SWM) Rules, 2016.
These measures include bio-mining and bio-remediation of legacy waste, operation of a leachate treatment plant, continuous environmental monitoring, odour control mechanisms and development of a green buffer zone to mitigate environmental and health impacts.
Responding to another part of the question regarding persistent demands by local residents for closure of the dumping site, the government confirmed that public representations have been received and are being duly considered.
It clarified that the Achan Waste Management Facility was established in 1986 and is a duly notified municipal landfill site for Srinagar city. Immediate closure of the site, without a fully operational alternative facility, is neither technically nor legally feasible for a city of Srinagar’s size.
Accordingly, the government stated that it has adopted a policy of scientific remediation and phased closure of the landfill rather than abrupt shifting.
In this regard, the Srinagar Municipal Corporation has initiated bio-mining and bio-remediation of nearly 11 lakh metric tonnes of legacy waste, scientific capping of old waste cells and development of integrated waste processing infrastructure under Swachh Bharat Mission–Urban 2.0 and CITIIS 2.0, aimed at minimizing landfilling and transitioning to engineered sanitary landfill practices.
On the issue of identifying an alternative site, the government informed the House that no suitable land is presently available within the jurisdiction of Srinagar Municipal Corporation for establishing a new municipal solid waste disposal facility.
It further stated that the Deputy Commissioner, Srinagar has taken up the matter with all Tehsildars of the district for identification of suitable state land for the purpose. — (JKNS)
