Sets 2-Year Deadline for Clearing Achan Legacy Waste
KD NEWS SERVICE
Srinagar, March 24: In a landmark directive aimed at addressing the long-standing environmental hazard at the Achan Saidapora landfill site in Srinagar, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has ordered action against eight former commissioners of the Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) who held office between 2017 and 2025. The incumbent SMC Commissioner, Owais Ahmad, has been directed to provide an undertaking committing to the clearance of 11.50 lakh metric tons of legacy waste at the landfill site within two years.
The order was issued after SMC Commissioner Owais Ahmad informed the NGT that it would take at least two years to clear the massive quantity of waste through bioremediation. The case, titled Raja Muzaffar Bhat v/s Union of India and Others, was heard before a three-member NGT bench comprising Justice Prakash Srivastava (Chairman), Justice Sudhir Aggarwal (Judicial Member), and Dr. Senthil Vel (Expert Member) on March 20, 2025.
Owais Ahmad assured the Tribunal that he would furnish an undertaking within 10 days, taking full responsibility to ensure that the entire legacy waste at the Achan landfill site is cleared within the stipulated two-year period. The Tribunal directed that the progress of the waste clearance be closely monitored, with regular updates provided to the NGT.
Action Against Former Commissioners
During the hearing, Regional Director of J&K Pollution Control Committee (JKPCC), Abhijeet Joshi, informed the NGT that a penalty of Rs 12 crore would be imposed on SMC as environmental compensation. He further revealed that civil action will be initiated against the eight former commissioners who served in the SMC between 2017 and 2025 for their failure to prevent the unscientific dumping of municipal solid waste at Achan.
“The JKPCC has already filed a reply dated March 18, 2025, outlining the steps being taken to initiate civil action against the officers responsible for violations under the Environment Protection Act, 1986. A list of eight such officers has been enclosed, and three weeks have been sought to file a formal complaint before the competent forum,” the order stated.
In addition to the waste clearance plan, the SMC has also committed to making the Leachate Treatment Plant (LTP) operational by June 2025. Measures such as the application of anti-odour chemicals, bio-enzymes, and the plantation of a green buffer zone with 3,200 trees around the landfill site are expected to be completed as part of immediate actions.
While the immediate focus is on clearing the legacy waste within two years, the SMC has proposed short, medium, and long-term solutions to address the waste crisis at Achan. The comprehensive plan includes ensuring the complete clearance of the landfill site by March 2027.
The NGT has directed JKPCC to submit a detailed progress report within four weeks, outlining the measures taken to address the environmental violations and ensure strict adherence to the timeline provided for waste clearance.
