Task force for nomintoring garbage clearance in Srinagar

Srinagar, Oct 30 (UNI) Jammu and Kashmir Governor N N Vohra has ordered setting up of a Task Force (TF) for the clearance of the garbage in the Srinagar city where about 300 metric tonnes of the solid waste was being collected everyday from different parts of the city by the Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC).

The residents of the Achan, where the waste was being dumped, are up in arms against the SMC for its failure to treat the waste before dumping it there. About 50 people, including officials of the SMC, police personnel were injured in clashes with local residents after they did not allow the corporation to dump the garbage there last week.

Thousands of tonnes of garbage remained on roads for about a week before the SMC finally dumped it at Achan despite massive protests by the local residents.

Mr Vohra, taking cognizance of the continuing reports about problems relating to the clearance of garbage in the city, issued instructions for the work on the alternate approach road, including a bridge between Dr Ali Jan Road and the Achin village.

He directed that the bridge be completed by March next year.

To ensure its completion within this time frame, it may be necessary to install a bailey bridge, as a short term measure to enable the SMC to move solid waste trucks through the Bypass Road, to ensure against any irritation to the residents of the area.

The alternate road will also be a short cut to the garbage dumping site.

The Governor directed the Economic Reconstruction Agency (ERA) to undertake the development of the land-fill-site in order to treat and dispose of the solid waste scientifically.

He also instructed for launching a massive plantation drive around the land-fill-area which will serve as a buffer.

The SMC will also augment this initiative in consultation with the State Forest Department.

Mr Vohra sought an urgent execution of all these works and said no vested interest should be allowed to vitiate the atmosphere by resorting to aggressive measures.

He said the initiative is aimed at providing respite to the locals, as also ensuring cleanliness of the capital city of Srinagar.

He ordered the setting up of a task-force for monitoring the garbage clearance in the city. Chief Secretary, S S Kapur, would be taking further action in this regard in the next few days.

The Governor also directed the agencies concerned to identify additional dumping sites for solid waste disposal in view of the fast expansion of the city. He called for formulating a perspective plan in this regard.

He also urged the agencies concerned to launch a massive public awareness drive, educating the people on the solid waste management.

He urged the Chief Executive Officer, ERA, to monitor, on daily basis, the progress on the construction of the bridge and development of the site on scientific lines.

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