Srinagar, Aug 01 (KNO): Environmental activist Raja Muzaffar Bhat has informed the National Green Tribunal (NGT) that that the Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) has failed to ensure proper scientific management of waste at Achan landfill site.
According to the details available with the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) Bhat has raised concerns before the NGT over the continued environmental and public health issues arising from the Achan landfill. “The Srinagar Municipal Corporation has failed to ensure proper scientific management of waste despite its submissions before the Tribunal,” the applicant has stated.
In a rejoinder filed in Original Application No. 543 of 2024, the applicant alleged that the SMC has not placed sufficient documentary material on record to substantiate its compliance claims.
He also questioned the non-implementation of directions issued by the Tribunal in 2015 and 2017, stating that the measures ordered by the NGT remain pending even after several years.
The filing alleges that the dumping of solid, biomedical and plastic waste at the Achan site continues in an unscientific manner, with leachate reportedly affecting surrounding water bodies, canals and Anchar Lake. It further claims that the problem of foul smell from the landfill persists despite the SMC stating that anti-odour sprays and bio-enzymes are being utilised to control the issue.
Citing a recent report attached to the rejoinder, the applicant said the Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS), Soura, has repeatedly informed the SMC about the persistent foul odour emanating from the landfill.
According to the filing, the hospital has expressed concerns that the smell could adversely affect critically ill patients, their attendants and hospital staff. The applicant has argued that the continued complaints indicate that the measures claimed by the civic body have not effectively addressed the issue.
The applicant further submitted that the SMC has limited access to the Achan landfill site, making it difficult to independently verify the progress claimed by the civic body. It alleged that the corporation has mainly relied on statements without placing sufficient documentary evidence or supporting records before the Tribunal.
The rejoinder also alleged that the SMC has missed multiple deadlines committed before the Tribunal. As per the filing, the leachate treatment plant was not made operational within the stipulated period, while waste cells remained uncapped and nearly 500 metric tonnes of waste continued to be dumped at the site every day. It further claimed that the proposed expansion of the Material Recovery Facility from 100 to 250 tonnes per day has not been demonstrated.
The applicant stated that biomining work remains at an initial stage, with the deadline for its completion reportedly extended to September 2027.
It also alleged that there has been no visible progress in increasing the green buffer plantation beyond 3,200 trees and that ragpickers continue to work without proper safety arrangements despite earlier assurances.
The applicant contended that the delay in establishing a waste-to-energy plant cannot be treated as a ground for non-compliance. It maintained that under the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016, local bodies remain responsible for waste collection, segregation, processing and scientific disposal, regardless of the status of the proposed project.
The rejoinder further alleged that the SMC has not provided details of the steps taken to comply with the NGT’s earlier orders dated January 13, 2015 and December 12, 2017, concerning improvement of municipal solid waste management and establishment of a waste-to-energy facility.
The applicant has urged the NGT to direct the District Magistrate to ensure compliance with the Solid Waste Management Rules and sought appropriate action against the SMC over the alleged continued violations and environmental damage linked to the Achan landfill—(KNO)