CS reviews scientific waste management, environmental sustainability initiatives at Achan WM Facility Srinagar

Srinagar: Chief Secretary Atal DullooThursday visited the Achan Integrated Waste Management Facility to review Srinagar’s waste management infrastructure and assess the progress of key initiatives being implemented by the Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) for scientific processing, treatment and environmentally sound disposal of municipal solid waste.
The Chief Secretary was accompanied by Mandeep Kaur, Commissioner Secretary, Housing & Urban Development Department (H&UDD); FazLulHaseeb, Commissioner, Srinagar Municipal Corporation; Joint Commissioners of SMC and other senior officers.
During the t visit, the Chief Secretary inspected Srinagar’s integrated solid waste management system, evaluating critical components such as door-to-door waste collection, source segregation, and the scientific processing of municipal solid waste. The inspection also covered biomining, leachate treatment systems, and environmental monitoring protocols, ensuring compliance with statutory environmental norms. The Chief Secretary received updates on ongoing efforts to enhance waste processing infrastructure, including capacity augmentation and the adoption of advanced technologies, all aligned with the objectives of the Swachh Bharat Mission (Urban) 2.0 and national environmental standards. The Commissioner of the Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) highlighted the Corporation’s initiatives aimed at transforming municipal solid waste management through infrastructure expansion, improved source segregation, and optimized collection and transportation systems. A significant focus was placed on the scientific bioremediation and reclamation of legacy waste at the Achan dumpsite, a project under the Swachh Bharat Mission (Urban) 2.0. This initiative aims to eliminate long-standing waste, reclaim land, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and enhance environmental quality, ultimately transforming Achan into a modern integrated waste management facility. The Chief Secretary commended the progress made by the SMC and emphasized the importance of ongoing commitment to scientific waste management, timely infrastructure upgrades, and strict environmental compliance. He underscored the necessity of inter-departmental coordination, continuous monitoring, and citizen engagement to achieve long-term environmental sustainability and improved urban sanitation. Reiterating the fundamental role of scientific municipal solid waste management in fostering resilient and sustainable cities, the Chief Secretary called for collective efforts from all stakeholders to uphold high standards of environmental governance and public service delivery. The visit reinforced the Government of Jammu and Kashmir’s commitment, in collaboration with the SMC and other agencies, to enhance scientific waste management systems and promote sustainable urban development for a cleaner and greener Srinagar for future generations.