Faced with absence of manpower management, proper technology and the adequate dumping sites, state policy makers see outsourcing the solid waste management a way-out, reports Aliya Bashir
Admitting that the state lacks manpower management and innovation for garbage management in keeping the city clean, Nasir Aslam Wani, Minister for Urban and Housing said that it is high time for source segregation to ensure cleanliness of the city.
“Source segregation is need of the hour to bridge the gap between primary and secondary levels of collection (organic, inorganic and recyclable level) and store it at one point. Entrepreneurship in this segment is a must to help the government for a clean and pollution free environment,” he said. The minister was chairing a session on ‘Solid Waste Management and Waste Water Treatment’.
A survey by India’s Urban Development Ministry based on sanitation ratings, suggests Srinagar figures in the “red zone” of pollution, as the city has scored a mere 19.1 on a scale of 100 in the National Rating and Award Scheme for Sanitation for Indian Cities.
Terming the survey as wake-up call for the people and concerned departments, the minister deliberated on the immediate efforts for the good health and developmental strategies of tourism. He will facilitate the role of outsourcing the sanitation work by involving both private and non-government players.
“It is not possible for us to manage the sanitation alone, due to the lack of manpower and limited land for dumping of garbage. So outsourcing of sanitation and waste management need to be done,” Nasir said.
Officials suggest Srinagar generates 400 metric tonnes of garbage every day which need to be tackled, even if it is composed of short term importance and long-term significance.
For the direct flow of raw nutrients in the Dal-Lake, he said that the all drains needs to be connected to sewer lines to stop the raw sewage into the Dal.
“At present, we have only Achen dumping site for wastes with proposed 600 kanals of land which is developed by Economic Reconstruction Agency (ERA).With the help of upgraded technologies we are looking forward to convert heaps of garbage lying open along roadsides into some manure or fertilizer,” he said.
Mehraj A Kakroo, Deputy Commissioner Srinagar holding additional charge of Commissioner Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) said that the government is trying all possible efforts to change the rating in shortest possible time.
“We have already started outsourcing in a phased manner. The tenders have been invited for outsourcing of 13 out of 68 wards falling in municipal limits,” he said.
Kakroo said that the short term measures have been already streamlined which include privatisation of sanitation in a phased manner, purchasing of equipments to handle garbage more efficiently, to provide dustbins to people and recycling of garbage in a timely manner.
“We are ready to negotiate up to the extent which will help us both from management and commercial point of view. With hand in hand in a public-participation mode to make Srinagar the best city due to its cultural heritage,” he said.
On the rating of Srinagar as dirtiest city, Kakroo said that it was not only for waste management but also for quality of water bodies, drinking water, open defecation on streets and overall sanitation.
