DC Bandipora chairs meeting on Solid Waste Management under Swachh Bharat Mission

• Focus on source segregation and Plastic Waste Management

BANDIPORA: The Deputy Commissioner Bandipora, Indu Kanwal Chib, today chaired a meeting to review the progress of Solid Waste Management under Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM) at the VC Room, Mini Secretariat Bandipora.

The meeting was attended by officers from the Urban Local Bodies, Rural Development Department, WUCMA, Legal Metrology, Pollution Control Board, Cooperative Department, besides Executive Officers of Municipal Committees, Block Development Officers, and other concerned stakeholders.

The meeting discussed the self-assessment summary of Solid Waste Management across important parameters such as door-to-door waste collection, source segregation, processing by bulk waste generators, wet and dry waste processing capacity, dumpsite remediation, and geo-mapping of waste processing facilities, C&D facilities, landfills, dumpsites, and STPs/FSTPs. The aspirational parameters covering geo-mapping of wards, drains, nallahs, and water bodies, along with mechanisms for waste sale, were also reviewed.

The Deputy Commissioner directed all Executive Officers to share the list of bulk waste generators with the Pollution Control Committee (PCC) along with details of the quantum and nature of waste generated. She stressed on roping in Cooperative Societies to strengthen local-level waste collection and processing, and called for interaction with interested cooperative units to explore viable partnerships. It was informed that rural sanitation efforts will be supported through third-party agencies, while necessary infrastructural assistance shall be provided by the Assistant Commissioner Panchayat’s office.

The DC also laid emphasis on achieving the Garbage-Free City (GFC) Star Rating, stating that efforts are underway to attain 1-Star certification for Bandipora town and 3-Star certification for Sumbal. She directed officers to engage a professional agency for Information, Education and Communication (IEC) campaigns to raise awareness among citizens regarding source segregation, plastic waste management, and sustainable waste disposal practices.

During the discussion, the DC underscored the importance of coordination between the Urban Development Department (UDD) and Rural Development Department (RDD) and proposed the signing of an MoU between the two departments for ensuring effective waste collection and awareness generation in rural areas.

The Deputy Commissioner reiterated that the district administration is committed to promoting transparency, accountability, and public participation in achieving Swachh Bharat Mission goals and urged all departments to work collectively towards making Bandipora clean, sustainable, and garbage-free.