Legacy waste in Srinagar to be cleared by 2028; sewerage works planned in Jammu by 2026–28
WAJAHAT SHABIR
SRINAGAR: The Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir has filed a detailed compliance report before the National Green Tribunal (NGT) outlining its progress and future roadmap on solid waste and sewage management in accordance with the Municipal Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016.
The report, submitted by Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo, highlights significant gaps that still exist in handling waste across urban local bodies (ULBs) but assures that comprehensive measures are underway to address the challenges.
According to the status report, J&K generates 1,529 tonnes of municipal solid waste daily, of which nearly 711 tonnes are being processed. The balance continues to accumulate, leaving a large volume of 22.5 lakh metric tonnes of legacy waste across the UT.
Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) faces the steepest challenge, with a processing gap of 355.5 metric tonnes per day and 12.07 lakh tonnes of legacy waste deposited at the Achan site.
To tackle Srinagar’s waste crisis, the government has prepared a Detailed Project Report (DPR) worth ₹361 crore, which includes a 459 TPD dry waste processing facility, a 300 TPD compressed bio-gas plant, and a 159 TPD compost plant. The project is vetted by NIT Srinagar and awaits cabinet approval, with an execution timeline of 24 months from allotment.
In Jammu, a 138 TPD integrated plant is under submission for approval, while major tourist towns like Katra, Baramulla and Anantnag are also expected to see expanded waste management facilities to meet peak tourist season demands.
Currently, one sanitary landfill exists in Srinagar, with three more planned at Anantnag, Baramulla, and Jammu. The UT has also approached the Government of India for support under the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) framework to manage Refuse Derived Fuel (RDF). Cement plants in J&K have been requested to utilize RDF, ensuring sustainable disposal.
The report assures that the legacy waste clearance contract in Srinagar has been awarded, with completion targeted for March 2028.
On sewage treatment, the government admitted to institutional weaknesses, with the Urban Environmental Engineering Department (UEED) operating with only 19 officers across J&K. To overcome this, the department is being restructured with district-wise setups, including executive engineers, AEEs, and JEs, along with two new posts of Chief Engineers for Jammu and Kashmir divisions.
A total of 170.52 MLD sewage treatment plant (STP) capacity and 15 KLD fecal sludge treatment plants are in various stages of execution. In Jammu, projects such as the Tawi riverfront interception and diversion works and missing sewerage links are expected to be completed between 2025 and 2027. Srinagar city is expected to achieve complete sewage processing capacity, covering surrounding districts like Budgam, Ganderbal and Baramulla, once ongoing STPs are operational.
In line with NGT’s directions, the UT has also prepared a plan to reuse at least 20% of treated wastewater for purposes such as toilet flushing, firefighting, horticulture, vehicle washing, and non-edible crop irrigation.
The J&K government has ring-fenced ₹350 crore exclusively for solid and used water management projects, with approvals already secured for three major sewerage works worth ₹188.3 crore.
