Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, July 28: A proposed waste management plant in Budgam remained under construction despite a JKPCC stop-work notice, with the J&K Climate Action Group (JKCAG) alleging that work was carried out during the night in defiance of environmental directives.
The environmental group alleged that the Rural Development Department (RDD) executed construction work during the intervening night of July 27 and 28 at the proposed facility in Ohangam village of Beerwah’s Rathsun block despite the J&K Pollution Control Committee (JKPCC) initiating legal proceedings against the Assistant Commissioner Panchayat (ACP), Budgam, and the Block Development Officer (BDO), Rathsun.
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The allegations stem from a complaint filed by JKCAG Chairman Dr Raja Muzaffar Bhat on June 5, following which the Regional Director, JKPCC, directed its Budgam divisional office to inspect the site.
An inspection conducted on June 10 found the proposed location unsuitable for a waste management facility and flagged several environmental concerns.
According to the inspection report, waste was being dumped along the Ohangam-Rathsun-Soibugh road, a major district road connecting adjoining villages, while construction work at the plinth level was also underway.
The report noted that the site is around 125 metres from an educational institution, about 200 metres from human habitation and around 120 metres from the nearest house.
It also observed that the site is surrounded by orchards, stray dogs were roaming around the dumped waste and foul smell from the site was causing inconvenience to commuters and local residents.
Acting on the inspection report, the Regional Director, JKPCC, on July 6 issued separate show-cause notices to the ACP, Budgam, and the BDO, Rathsun, alleging illegal and unscientific dumping of solid waste in violation of the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016, the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 and directions of the National Green Tribunal (NGT).
The officials were directed to explain within 15 days why legal action should not be initiated against them and were also asked to immediately stop illegal and unauthorized waste disposal at the site.
The inspection report further stated that the Rural Development Department, through the ACP and BDO, was responsible for ensuring segregation, processing and scientific disposal of waste under the Solid Waste Management Rules and recommended legal action in view of the violations observed.
Despite the notices, locals alleged that construction resumed during the night.
Source: https://www.dailyexcelsior.com/norms-flouted-at-budgam-waste-plant-jkcag/