SRINAGAR: The National Green Tribunal has directed the Municipal Council Poonch to verify whether the proposed bio-mining site for clearing 90,000 metric tonnes of legacy waste lies within the floodplain of the Poonch river, even as the civic body said tender evaluation is underway and work allotment will be finalised within two weeks.
During a hearing before the NGT’s Principal Bench headed by Chairperson Justice Prakash Srivastava, CEO Municipal Council Poonch Khalil Ahmad Banday informed the tribunal that seven bidders had responded to the tender for bio-mining the accumulated waste near Sher-e-Kashmir Bridge. He said technical evaluation would be completed in a week, with the lowest bidder (L1) to be chosen within two weeks.
However, when questioned, the CEO was unable to confirm whether the selected site for the bio-mining facility—located about 130 metres from the riverbank—fell inside the river’s floodplain. The bench directed him to examine old flood records and file an affidavit within four weeks clarifying the status of the land and detailing progress made so far.
The tribunal noted in its 13 November order that the CEO must “ascertain this fact on the basis of old flood records” and disclose whether the proposed site lies within the active or extended floodplain.
During the proceedings, Jammu and Kashmir Pollution Control Committee counsel Gautam Singh submitted that of the Rs 1,61,00,000 environmental compensation imposed, only Rs 25 lakh had been recovered so far. He said steps had been initiated to recover the remaining amount through attachment and auction, with a status report to be filed before the next hearing.
The matter will be taken up again on January 6, 2025.
Petitioner Dr Raja Muzaffar Bhat, who recently met Poonch district authorities along with local civil society members, said the administration had assured that all legacy waste would be removed. He added that shifting biodegradable waste to the Salotri area for regular processing had been suggested to the district administration.
“I am sure Poonch town can be made neat and clean within six months to a year, provided the administration maintains the seriousness it showed during our meeting,” Dr Muzaffar said.
