J&K Govt highlights progress, gaps in waste management report to NGT

SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir government has submitted a comprehensive report to the National Green Tribunal (NGT), detailing its compliance with the Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) Management Rules, 2016. The report outlines significant progress in both solid and liquid waste management across the Union Territory, citing infrastructure upgrades and financial commitments totaling Rs 1,326.75 crore. However, it also underscores persistent gaps in waste processing and sewage treatment capabilities, with plans for several key projects to be completed by 2027.
The report submitted by the Jammu and Kashmir government provides an in-depth evaluation of the current state of waste management in the Union Territory. It follows the directives issued by the National Green Tribunal (NGT) to improve compliance with the Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) Management Rules, 2016, and tackle various environmental issues.
According to the report, the daily solid waste generation in Jammu and Kashmir stands at 1,632 tons per day (TPD), based on data collected from weighbridges in major cities like Srinagar and Jammu. Smaller urban local bodies (ULBs) use population-based estimates of 300 to 400 grams per capita per day to gauge waste output. The government has made efforts to streamline waste collection, but gaps remain in the processing and treatment of waste.
The government has initiated several projects under the Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM) 2.0, including the construction of sanitary landfills and composting units in key urban areas. Notably, the Srinagar Municipal Corporation is constructing a wet waste processing facility with a capacity of 459 TPD, which is expected to be completed by 2026. Similar projects are underway in Jammu, where upgrades to waste processing facilities are slated for completion by 2025. These projects aim to improve waste segregation, recycling, and disposal, reducing the burden on landfill sites.
The report highlights significant gaps in liquid waste management, primarily in terms of sewage treatment. The current sewage generation in the region is estimated at 108 liters per capita per day, based on 2026 population projections. While there are existing sewage treatment plants (STPs) in operation, the performance data shows mixed results. The Jammu and Kashmir Pollution Control Board (JKPCB) has flagged discrepancies in the fecal coliform levels in treated wastewater, prompting the need for more rigorous monitoring and upgrades to STPs.
To bridge the gap, the government has proposed the construction of new STPs under the AMRUT 2.0 scheme, with completion timelines extending to 2025. These facilities are expected to increase sewage treatment capacity and improve compliance with environmental standards.
The Jammu and Kashmir government has allocated ?1,326.75 crore for waste management projects, with funds drawn from the SBM 2.0, NGT action plans, and AMRUT 2.0. The report notes that ring-fenced accounts have been set up to ensure transparent and targeted use of these funds. Of this total, ?261.68 crore is earmarked specifically for solid and liquid waste management projects in urban areas, with the goal of significantly improving waste treatment capacity.
Among the notable projects is the Integrated Solid Waste Management (ISWM) facility in Jammu, which is expected to handle 350 TPD of waste. Similar initiatives are in place across smaller ULBs, where waste processing facilities are either under construction or being tendered. The government has set ambitious targets for 2025 and 2027 to ensure that all infrastructure is in place to meet the region's growing waste management needs.
One of the critical challenges outlined in the report is the issue of legacy waste, which has accumulated over the years in landfills across the Union Territory. The government has initiated bio-remediation and bio-mining projects to treat legacy waste at key dumpsites. The Srinagar Municipal Corporation has already reclaimed some dumpsites, and tenders for others are in process.
The report estimates that 80,000 metric tons of waste will accumulate in landfills by December 2025, even as waste management facilities are expanded. The government plans to use bio-soil generated from waste treatment for infrastructure projects, such as road construction, to reduce the environmental impact.

Updated On 10/22/2024 1:34:44 AM

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