Govt admits health concerns at Achan dumping site, says immediate closure not feasible
Srinagar, Feb 13: The Jammu and Kashmir government on Friday acknowledged that the Achan garbage dumping site in Srinagar poses environmental and public health concerns but said immediate closure of the landfill is not technically or legally feasible in the absence of an alternative facility.
Replying to starred Assembly Question No. 908 tabled by MLA Shamima Firdous, the government said the Achan site has served as Srinagar's municipal solid waste disposal facility since 1986.
Due to accumulation of legacy waste over several decades, environmental and health concerns have been reported from time to time, it said.
The government said the Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) has initiated scientific interventions in compliance with the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016.
These include biomining and bioremediation of legacy waste, operation of a leachate treatment plant, continuous environmental monitoring, odor control measures and development of a green buffer zone to mitigate environmental and health impacts.
Responding to concerns raised by local residents demanding closure of the site, the government confirmed that public representations have been received and are being considered.
However, it said shutting down the landfill immediately is not possible without a fully operational alternative waste disposal facility for a city the size of Srinagar.
Instead, the government has adopted a policy of phased closure through scientific remediation rather than abrupt relocation.
It said SMC has begun biomining and bioremediation of approximately 1.1 million metric tons of legacy waste and scientific capping of old waste cells.
The administration is also developing integrated waste processing infrastructure under Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban 2.0 and CITIES 2.0, aimed at minimizing landfilling and transitioning to engineered sanitary landfill practices.
On the question of identifying an alternative location, the government said no suitable land is currently available within the jurisdiction of the Srinagar Municipal Corporation for establishing a new municipal solid waste disposal facility.
It added that the Deputy Commissioner of Srinagar has taken up the matter with all tehsildars in the district to identify suitable state land for the purpose.
The Achan landfill has long been a flashpoint for residents living in its vicinity, who have repeatedly raised concerns over foul odour, groundwater contamination and rising health issues.
