Segregation of Solid Waste Material: More efforts required for making Srinagar city garbage-free

SHAKEELA ANDRABI

SRINAGAR: Authorities have failed to start segregation of solid waste material at source in Srinagar, affecting scientific disposal of garbage at Achan dumping site, thereby resulting in spread of foul smell in vicinity. People are facing numerous troubles due to stench, especially in morning hours, when hundreds of youth, children and senior citizens go out for a walk.
According to official data, Srinagar City produces more than 400 metric tons of waste every day. Actually the real problem is not waste but it is its poor management.
The field staff of Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) has also failed to convey to people the importance of separation of solid waste material. As SMC is still collecting mixed waste from areas, there are numerous complaints that SMC vehicles arrive late in several areas, causing problems for people. Under SWMR, each house has to keep two separate dustbins, one for biodegradable and another for non-biodegradable waste but non-implementation of the rule has multiplied problems of garbage dumping, processing and its disposal.
However, SMC Commissioner Athar Aamir had numerous times made commitment that SMC is taking various measures to implement SWMR in letter & spirit and recently it started door to door garbage collection in Srinagar, but the real problem is still unattended. There is need to add more vehicles in fleet of SMC for transportation of garbage besides taking several other measures to make Srinagar city garbage and stench-free.