Mand Dumping Site to Remain Functional Until Alternative Found: CM

SRINAGAR: Remediation work of 15000 metric tonnes (MT) of legacy waste at Mand in Udhampur has been completed, while the bio-mining of the remaining 27,000 MT of waste under the Swachh Bharat Mission (Urban) is under active consideration, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah informed the Legislative Assembly on Monday.

Responding to a Calling Attention Motion by MLA RS Pathania, the Chief Minister said that the work for the bio-mining of legacy waste began in March this year, and the contracted agency has already finished remediation of 15,000 MT.

He said that the Municipal Council, Udhampur, had invited tenders for the bio-mining of waste located at Mand after the site was transferred for establishing a Solid Waste Management Project.

During the discussion, MLA RS Pathania raised concerns over the dumping of garbage by Udhampur Municipality at Village Mand, saying it had created an unbearable stench, diseases, and an unappealing environment along the Jammu-Srinagar highway.

In response, the Chief Minister said that disinfectors are periodically deputed for fumigation around the Mand site to curb odour and prevent disease spread. He further added that the site would continue to be used for garbage dumping until a suitable alternative location is identified by the government.