Bio-mining in pipeline; use of anti-odour on: Officials
Irfan Tramboo
Srinagar, Aug 21: The Achan waste dumping site operated by the Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) is evolving into a growing menace, casting a shadow over the lives of residents in the vicinity and those within a five-kilometre radius due to the persistent foul smell emanating from it.
Even as the authorities told Excelsior that a number of measures have been taken to address the situation, including the bio-mining project in the pipeline, complaints of intensified odours-especially during the evening hours-have prompted residents to voice their concerns about the issue.
“While the government has addressed numerous significant problems faced by the city’s residents, the matter of the offensive smell emanating from the dumping site remains unresolved. It impacts not only those living in proximity to the site but also reverberates throughout the area,” asserted Adil Ahmad, a resident living near the dumping site.
In addition to immediate neighbouring areas, the odour’s reach extends to locations such as Hawal, Milli Stop, Lal Bazar, Soura, Sekidafar, Noorbagh, Safa Kadal, Nawa Kadal, Rajouri Kadal, and others. The extent of this reach varies depending on the time of day.
While the authorities have previously undertaken measures like fumigation to curb the spread of the stench, such efforts, as per residents, have halted, leaving them disillusioned.
“The cessation of fumigation, coupled with the evident failure to ensure proper scientific waste disposal, has compounded the situation. The waste collected from various parts of the city is dumped here, and the lack of effective waste segregation exacerbates the unbearable odour, adversely affecting the health of local inhabitants,” highlighted Javaid Ahmad, another concerned resident.
Although a waste segregation machine is in place at the dumping site, its functionality has come under scrutiny, as residents claim that it is not being employed effectively, leading to ongoing olfactory distress.
Furthermore, residents have pointed out that the wastewater discharge from the site, originally intended to be filtered, is now being allowed to escape untreated, thereby exacerbating the crisis. “The authorities need to re-evaluate waste management strategies and implement measures that can alleviate the prevailing odour issue,” the residents said.
The officials stated that there are a number of measures in the pipeline aimed at addressing the issues at hand regarding the waste dumping site. “Resolving the waste management issues remains the top priority and is being actively pursued,” stated Commissioner, SMC, Ather Amir.
He detailed the measures taken to address the foul smell issue, including enzyme treatment in collaboration with the Science and Technology Department, along with the use of anti-odour substances.
“We also have a bio-mining project in the pipeline, which has been prepared by the National Institute of Technology (NIT), Srinagar, and has been vetted by the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Jammu. The project has been sent to the Housing Department, which has now submitted it to the Government of India for funding, which will be done soon,” he said.
Regarding the increase in odour from the dumping site, he mentioned that it could be due to the rise in temperature while assuring that the use of anti-odour substances would be increased accordingly.
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