Orders Action Against 8 Ex-Commissioners Over Waste Violations
KD NEWS SERVICE
Srinagar, Mar 26: In a landmark ruling, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has imposed a penalty of Rs 12.62 crore on the Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) for gross violations of waste management regulations at the Achan Saidapora landfill site. The tribunal also directed the Jammu and Kashmir Pollution Control Committee (JKPCC) to initiate legal action against eight former SMC Commissioners who served between 2017 and 2025 for their failure to enforce effective waste management practices.
The case, Raja Muzaffar Bhat v/s Union of India & Others, was heard on March 20, 2025, by a three-member bench comprising Justice Prakash Srivastava (Chairman), Justice Sudhir Aggarwal (Judicial Member), and Dr. Senthil Vel (Expert Member). The tribunal expressed grave concern over the unscientific disposal of solid waste at Achan, which led to the contamination of nearby water bodies. This was found to be in clear violation of the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016, and the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974.
During the proceedings, SMC Commissioner Dr. Owais Ahmad informed the tribunal that approximately 11.5 lakh metric tons of legacy waste had accumulated at the landfill site over the years and that bio-mining efforts to clear the waste would require at least two years. In response, the tribunal directed him to submit a written undertaking within ten days to ensure the waste is cleared within the stipulated timeframe, with regular monitoring to be conducted for compliance.
Polluter Pays Principle Invoked
A detailed report submitted by the JKPCC revealed that the SMC had consistently violated solid waste management norms for over 1,800 days, from April 1, 2020, to March 10, 2025. Invoking the “Polluter Pays” principle, the tribunal imposed a fine of ₹12.62 crore on the SMC to compensate for environmental damage caused by the negligence.
Action Against Former SMC Commissioners
The NGT also took a strong stance against former officials who failed to address waste management issues during their tenure. The tribunal directed the JKPCC to initiate civil proceedings under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, against the following eight former SMC Commissioners: Dr. Shafqat Khan, Reyaz Ahmad Wani, Peerzada Hafizullah Shah, Mir Tariq Ali, Khurshid Ahmad Sanai, Gazanfar Ali, Athar Aamir Khan and Dr. Owais Ahmad (current commissioner).
Legal complaints are being finalized to hold these officials accountable for their failure to implement effective waste management policies.
SMC’s Comprehensive Action Plan
In response to the tribunal’s directives, the SMC presented a four-phase action plan aimed at achieving 100% scientific waste processing by March 2027. Key components of the plan include:
Immediate Measures (by June 2025):
Ø Operationalizing the Leachate Treatment Plant (LTP)
Ø Implementing odor control through bio-enzymes
Ø Initiating bio-mining of legacy waste
Ø Planting 3,200 trees to establish a green buffer zone
Short-Term Goals:
Ø Expanding composting facilities
Ø Establishing new garbage transfer stations
Ø Enhancing waste monitoring systems
Medium-Term Goals:
Ø Processing 5 lakh metric tons of waste
Ø Setting up a 300 TPD Refuse-Derived Fuel (RDF) plant
Ø Constructing a 459 TPD Compressed Bio-Gas (CBG) facility
Final Phase (by March 2027):
Ø Complete remediation of the Achan landfill
Ø Creation of green buffer zones by planting 10,000 trees
Ø Accountability and Progress Monitoring
To ensure transparency and accountability, the NGT has ordered the SMC to submit monthly progress reports and directed the JKPCC to conduct quarterly reviews. Additionally, a public dashboard will be launched to allow real-time tracking of cleanup efforts and ensure public oversight.
This ruling marks a pivotal step in addressing the long-standing waste management crisis at the Achan Saidapora landfill site. By holding both the municipal corporation and its former leadership accountable, the NGT aims to instill a culture of environmental responsibility and safeguard the region’s ecological integrity.
