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Tribune News Service
Jammu, November 29
The two capital cities of the state, Srinagar and Jammu, generate 770 tonnes of solid waste daily and in the absence of proper landfill sites and scientific disposal methods, this waste is emerging as a major source of air, water and soil pollution.
As per a study, ‘Emission inventory of carbon dioxide in J&K’, conducted to find out the carbon, methane and sulphur content in the waste generated, a scientific approach would be needed to reduce pollution in the state in the coming decades. As per the data, Srinagar city alone generates 407.84 tonnes of solid waste every day with 271 gm per capita per day production with a majority of it being dumped at an open landfill site at Achan on the outskirts of the city. The waste, collected at 519 collection points, is being transported to this dumping site through municipality transport vehicles.
In Jammu city, the total solid waste generated is around 368 tonnes a day with per capital generation rate of 450 gm. There are 453 collection points and the waste is transported to a dumping site at Bhagwati Nagar. However, the city does not have a dedicated landfill site leaving the Municipal Corporation to dump waste around the forested areas of the city. It is important to note here that Jammu’s rank is 427, the lowest in India when it comes to cleanliness which exposes the poor planning and lack of interest shown by government bodies to coordinate their efforts to involve people in the sanitation process and take strict action against violators. Though a new plan is being prepared to deal with the challenge, officials said it could mean investment of crores of rupees to provide civic amenities to such an expanding city, which was beyond the realms of the state government and needed massive investment by the private sector.
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