At a time when the Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC) has started highlighting its achievements under the Swacch Bharat Abhiyan, its policies on dumping solid waste will create an environmental disaster for 15 lakh inhabitants of the winter capital.
Everyday, half a dozen bulldozers dig trenches along the banks of the Tawi to dispose tonnes of waste, including toxic substances, generated in the city. The river banks at Bhagwati nagar have traditionally been used as dumping sites for solid waste, but in the past few years, waste is being scattered along forest areas surrounding the city, which will have long-term repercussions on the city and its inhabitants and affect its groundwater sources.
Officials said there was no headway in identifying land for the scientific management of solid waste after the site at Kot Bhalwal was abandoned following an opposition by local residents in 2012.
Now, the MC collects garbage from 453 collections points within its limits by means of men and machinery.
The city already ranks 427th the lowest in the country, when it comes to cleanliness, which exposes poor planning and lack of interest shown by the government bodies to coordinate their efforts to involve people in sanitation and take strict action against the violators.
“Heaps of garbage explains the tale of indifferent attitude of authorities and citizens who dump the waste along the road without considering its effect on the city’s image. There is a need for a long-term plan to use scientific methods to dispose of waste generated by the city,” said Capt Anil Gour, president, Association for Self Help and Awareness.
However, none of the officials of the Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC) responded to the attempts by us to get their views on the issue.
A junior official in the corporation said there were “orders” to limit interaction with media persons following criticism of its policies.
“The city does not need big plans, but implementation of simple methods to deal with tonnes of garbage as its unscientific disposal will create conditions conducive for diseases and poison its water sources,” said Bushan Parimoo, an environmentalist.
Meanwhile, a new master plan is being prepared to deal with the challenge, but officials said it could mean investment of crores of rupees to provide civic amenities to this expanding city, which needs massive investment by the private sector.
Unscientific disposal of solid waste continues unabated
