Eight J&K towns to have waste treatment plants

The Jammu and Kashmir government is installing solid waste treatment plants in eight major towns to convert the garbage into compost.

The Kashmir Monitor reports that Baramulla, Sumbal, Hajan, Budgam, Bejbehara, Anantnag, Kulgam and Tral have been identified for this purpose. These towns will replicate Pahalgam model where Solid Waste Management (SWM) Rules 2016 have been implemented. Pahalgam had set up a plant in May this year.

This follows the directive by National Green Tribunal (NGT) to build up three model towns in the erstwhile state for implementation of SWM rules 2016 and later replicate it to entire Union Territory.

Each plant will come up at an estimated cost of Rs 1.13 crore and will be completed within four months. “The first priority of 14th finance commission will be solid waste management. It will provide 65% finances for the project and rest of 35% will come from Swachh Barat Mission (SBM),” said Riyaz Ahmad Wani, Director, Urban Local Bodies (ULB), and Kashmir.