Srinagar, Mar 27: The Jammu and Kashmir government on Friday informed the Legislative Assembly that informed that nearly 11 lakh metric tonnes of legacy waste has accumulated at the Achan landfill site, where biomining and bioremediation processes have been initiated for its scientific disposal.
“An 800 tonnes per day Integrated Solid Waste Management facility is being developed under Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban 2.0, aiming for 100 percent scientific waste processing by 2027,” the minister in-charge for Housing and Urban Development Department informed.
Additionally, a 125 TPD construction and demolition waste processing plant is under execution, while over 3,800 twin waste bins have been installed across markets and tourist locations in the city.
Replying to a question by MLA Sheikh Ehsan Ahmad, the minister in-charge for Urban Development Department informed the House that while 25 washrooms have been built under the Smart City initiative, 10 remain non-functional.
About the drainage infrastructure, the government acknowledged that no comprehensive drainage scheme has been undertaken under the Srinagar Smart City project so far.
However, the House was informed that storm-water pipes have been laid along several major upgraded roads, including Batamaloo–Qamarwari Road, Batamaloo–Mominabad Road, Residency Road, M.A. Road, Dalgate–Gojwara Road and Karan Nagar.
“These pipelines have been integrated with the existing drainage and sewerage network,” the government informed the House.
The government attributed frequent choking and malfunctioning of drains to the improper disposal of solid waste and construction material by households and commercial establishments, including hotels and restaurants.
“Such practices obstruct the free flow of wastewater and damage drainage systems,” the government said.
The House was however, informed that remedial measures are regularly undertaken, including mechanised and manual desilting, removal of blockages, repair and reconstruction of damaged portions, and periodic monitoring of vulnerable spots to restore normal drainage flow.
The House was further informed that several Smart City projects are currently under execution and are expected to be completed by May 2026.
“These include the construction of a Traditional Souq Market and Craft Centre at Batamaloo and upgradation works at Goni Khan Plaza, including electric cabling in Maharaj Bazar and Goni Khan Market,” the government said.
The government further attributed the delay in completion of various projects to utility shifting issues, adverse weather conditions, contractor performance, supply-chain constraints, additional scope enhancements, and traffic management challenges.
On solid waste management, the government claimed that 100 percent door-to-door collection of municipal waste has been achieved across all wards of Srinagar, with source segregation crossing 50 percent.
“Sustained awareness campaigns and enforcement measures are underway to improve compliance with the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016,” the government said.
About the issue of stray dogs, the government said that sterilisation and anti-rabies vaccination remain the only legally permitted methods for population control under existing laws.
“Between June 2023 and September 2025, over 15,000 stray dogs were sterilised and a similar number vaccinated at designated centres in Tengpora and Shuhama. A third sterilisation centre at Ahal Chatteram is currently under construction to augment capacity,” the House was informed.
The government said that killing or relocating stray dogs was a punishable offence under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, and relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
