SRINAGAR, September 29, 2026 – Outlining a major step towards environmental sustainability and scientific urban waste processing, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah announced that the proposed ₹361 crore Integrated Solid Waste Management (ISWM) project at the Achan dumping site in Srinagar will be completed within 1.5 years. Informing the Legislative Assembly about the government’s decisive action to tackle the city’s mounting garbage crisis, the Chief Minister stated that the state-of-the-art facility is designed to process 800 tonnes of municipal solid waste daily, fundamentally resolving the site’s massive legacy waste problem that has long plagued nearby residents. Highlighting the extensive groundwork already underway, Abdullah detailed that the Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) has significantly scaled up its sanitation infrastructure by deploying more than 380 waste collection and transportation vehicles and engaging over 2,700 sanitation workers across the city. As an interim measure to ensure scientific waste disposal, a 100 Tonnes Per Day (TPD) Material Recovery Facility has been established at Achan for the segregation and recovery of recyclable materials, including plastics, paper, cardboard, and metals, which are subsequently channeled to authorized recyclers. Additionally, an 85 TPD wet waste processing plant has also been operationalized to scientifically process segregated biodegradable municipal waste.
Addressing the critical environmental hazards posed by accumulated garbage, the Chief Minister informed the House that the government has launched a massive biomining and bioremediation drive targeting approximately 11 lakh metric tonnes of legacy waste at the Achan site. This specialized remediation work has already been awarded to an expert agency, with windrow formation and associated civil works currently in progress to stabilize waste fractions and recover recyclable materials. Furthermore, emphasizing the administration’s broader vision for circular economy integration, Abdullah noted that the construction of a dedicated facility for processing Construction and Demolition (C&D) waste has seen significant progress, with civil works already completed by the assigned contractor. Once fully commissioned, this particular facility will enable the large-scale recovery and reuse of construction materials, drastically reducing illegal dumping and conserving natural resources. Together, these comprehensive waste management initiatives are expected to mitigate the severe environmental impact of the Achan landfill and finally transform Srinagar into a cleaner, healthier, and more sustainable city.
Published by True Roots Media Network