Bandipora, Feb 14: Deputy Commissioner Bandipora, Indu Kanwal Chib, on Friday chaired a meeting to review the implementation of Solid Waste Management (SWM) under the Swachh Bharat Mission across the district.
The meeting held detailed deliberations on strengthening waste management mechanisms in both urban and rural areas, noting that strategies must differ due to their distinct characteristics. While rural areas face relatively loose infrastructure, urban centres—with a higher concentration of households—require a more structured and intensive approach.
Emphasising that the primary objective of solid waste management is environmental protection and sustainable development, the Deputy Commissioner underscored the importance of source segregation at the household level. The meeting reviewed the complete waste management cycle, including generation, collection, transportation and scientific processing.
Officials informed the chair that a Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) and a Material Recovery Facility (MRF) have been established in the district to facilitate systematic waste processing and disposal. The policy framework and legal provisions governing SWM were also discussed, along with the roles and responsibilities of waste generators, Municipal Councils and other stakeholders. It was noted that strict action would be taken in cases of non-compliance.
The DC announced that the administration plans to launch a comprehensive initiative from April to intensify public participation in waste management. She directed departments to prepare structured action plans and awareness modules in advance to ensure systematic and result-oriented implementation in both urban and rural areas.
She also ordered strict enforcement of the ban on polythene bags and stressed the promotion of cloth bags as an environmentally responsible alternative.
Reiterating the administration’s commitment to sustainable waste management practices, the Deputy Commissioner called for coordinated efforts among all departments to implement the Swachh Bharat Mission in letter and spirit.
The meeting was attended by the Regional Director Kashmir, JKPCB; Assistant Commissioner Development; Chief Planning Officer; Assistant Commissioner Panchayat; Chief Executive Officer, Municipal Council Bandipora; Assistant Controller, Legal Metrology; District Officer, Pollution Control Board; Executive Officers of Municipal Committees Hajin and Sumbal; representative of ULB Kashmir; and other concerned officers.
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