Srinagar: In a significant move to modernize the waste management system, the Jammu and Kashmir government plans to establish advanced waste processing facilities in Srinagar, aiming for 100% scientific waste processing by 2027. This announcement came in response to concerns raised by former Speaker and MLA Mubarak Gul in the Assembly, who highlighted key issues related to waste management in Srinagar, particularly regarding the Achan Waste Management Facility and its environmental impact on the downtown area. Gul sought clarification from the government on several pressing matters, emphasizing the serious health risks posed to residents due to the facility’s proximity to densely populated neighborhoods.
Responding to these concerns, CM Omar Abdullah, who also holds the portfolio of Housing and Urban Development Department (H&UDD), detailed the government’s ongoing efforts to address waste management challenges. “The Achan Waste Management Facility, established in 1986, serves as the city’s primary waste processing hub, handling approximately 550 tonnes per day (TPD) of municipal solid waste,” he said. “Despite its critical role, the facility has been the subject of environmental concerns, particularly foul odors and other health hazards affecting nearby residents.”
To mitigate these issues, the Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) has implemented several measures. “These include the regular application of anti-odour chemicals, bio-enzymes, and controlled layering of waste to minimize anaerobic decomposition, which is a primary cause of foul smells,” Abdullah explained. “A leachate treatment plant has been made operational to prevent groundwater and soil pollution, and a green buffer zone of 3,200 trees has been planted around the facility to absorb pollutants and improve air quality.”
Other initiatives include regular fumigation, spraying eco-friendly disinfectants, and continuous dust control measures. The SMC has also improved waste handling practices by adopting scientific layering techniques and covering fresh waste with inert material to further reduce odor and leachate production.
Under the Swachh Bharat Mission 2.0 (SBM 2.0) and City Investments to Innovate, Integrate, and Sustain (CITIIS 2.0), the government has proposed further modernization of waste management systems. “These projects include the establishment of Material Recovery Facilities (MRFs), Refuse-Derived Fuel (RDF) plants, and a Compressed Bio-Gas (CBG) plant, all aimed at reducing landfill dependency and improving environmental compliance,” the CM said. “These projects, expected to be operational by 2027, are set to revolutionize waste management in Srinagar, ensuring that waste processing is conducted in line with the latest scientific and environmental standards.”
The Achan Dumping Site, which has reached its full capacity, will undergo a series of measures to handle legacy waste. “These include bio-mining, the development of a sanitary landfill, and the expansion of waste processing infrastructure, such as RDF and MRF plants,” Abdullah stated. “These efforts are part of a broader strategy to eliminate open dumping and establish a robust, integrated solid waste management system for Srinagar.”
In addition, the government plans to reduce the burden on the Achan site by implementing decentralized waste management solutions. “These include the establishment of garbage transfer stations, a Construction & Demolition (C&D) waste facility, and the expansion of composting units and material recovery facilities (MRFs) to enhance waste segregation and recycling at the local level,” the CM added
