Foul smell, health risks haunt residents near Achan landfill

Srinagar, Aug 25: In the heart of Kashmir’s summer capital, a public health crisis is silently unfolding at Achan, the city’s lone garbage dumping site. Located just seven kilometres from Lal Chowk, the area was once a pristine wetland but now reeks of waste, becoming a breeding ground for diseases for thousands of nearby residents.The Achan landfill, sprawling across more than 600 kanals (about 75 acres), was established in 1986 in collaboration with Ramky Enviro Engineers Ltd. Initially envisioned as a model for sustainable waste management, it has over time turned into a toxic and unregulated dumping ground, receiving over 550 metric tonnes of unsegregated municipal solid waste daily.For residents in neighbourhoods such as Syedabad Colony, Eidgah, Anchar, Soura, Zoonimar, and Sekidafar, life has become a daily struggle. The foul stench from the site is a constant presence, with residents claiming it worsens in the evenings and during hotter months, making it nearly impossible to breathe. “During the day, we try to ignore it, but by evening, the odour is unbearable. It makes you want to leave your home, but where can we go? This has become our prison,” said Asif Hamid, a resident of Sekidafar.“Even eating has become a struggle,” said Shabir Ahmad of Zoonimar. “The foul smell ruins our appetite and destroys the mood. It feels impossible to enjoy a simple meal at home.”Zulfiqar Qureshi, a long-time resident of Syedabad Colony, added, “We have been asking the government to spray anti-odour chemicals and take necessary measures, but our concerns continue to be met with empty promises.”In addition to the unbearable odour, swarms of insects and pests around the site pose serious health risks, acting as carriers of infectious diseases. Residents report a rise in respiratory problems, skin conditions, and gastrointestinal illnesses.“Children and the elderly are worst affected,” said Usman Bhat of Syedabad. “Coughs, chest pain, rashes, vomiting, and stomach infections have become common here.”Health experts have long warned about the dangers posed by the landfill. Dr. Farooq, a senior doctor, described the site as a serious health hazard. “The landfill provides an ideal breeding ground for microbes, insects, rodents, and stray animals, all of which threaten the health of nearby residents,” he said.He added that methane gas emitted from the garbage displaces oxygen, causing nausea, vomiting, chest pain, and, in severe cases, coma or death. “Contaminated groundwater and waterlogging after rains worsen the situation, increasing the risk of gastrointestinal illnesses and other chronic conditions,” Dr. Farooq explained.Despite these risks, the Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) maintains that measures are being taken to mitigate the impact. A senior SMC official, requesting anonymity, said, “Continuous efforts are being made to ensure that waste management is carried out scientifically and in compliance with environmental standards.”The official added that steps already in place include regular application of anti-odour chemicals and bio-enzymes, improved aeration, controlled layering of waste, and continuous water sprinkling to reduce odour and dust. A leachate treatment plant is operational to manage contaminated liquid waste, while over 3,200 trees have been planted around the landfill to act as a green buffer.He further said that under initiatives like Swachh Bharat Mission 2.0, SMC plans to establish state-of-the-art facilities, including a Material Recovery Facility (459 TPD), Refuse-Derived Fuel Plant (300 TPD), Compressed Bio-Gas Plant (459 TPD), and Bio-Mining of legacy waste (11 lakh MT). “These facilities are expected to be operational by 2027, significantly reducing reliance on the landfill,” he added.