The recent affidavit filed by the Government of Jammu and Kashmir before the NGT once again exposes a grim reality: the Union Territory is hopelessly lagging behind in addressing the twin challenges of solid waste management and wastewater treatment. Despite repeated directions, deadlines, and lofty claims of “100% scientific disposal”, the ground situation remains unchanged. What exists today is not a system of waste management but a system of waste shifting-one dumping site after another-while untreated sewage continues to flow unabated into rivers, streams, and water bodies.
As of now, 21 urban local bodies in J&K still lack even a basic waste processing facility, while a staggering 22.52 lakh metric tonnes of legacy waste continues to pile up. The government claims that all ULBs will achieve complete waste processing by June 2026 and Srinagar by March 2027. But these are only fresh additions to a long list of promises made in the past and never kept. The reality is grim. Solid waste is not being scientifically treated; it is dumped at sites until local resistance builds up, after which the same waste is shifted to another location. Villages and neighbourhoods adjoining these dumping yards live in nightmarish conditions. Apart from the unbearable stench and daily inconvenience, these sites are serious health hazards. Groundwater contamination is rampant, and residents face risks of chronic illnesses. Yet, the official response remains indifferent-statistical presentations in meetings rather than concrete solutions on the ground. The claim of “scientific disposal” exists largely on paper. Year after year, the story is repeated: deadlines are extended, new assurances are made, and little changes for citizens.
If solid waste is being ignored, the condition of water management is worse. The affidavit itself admits that this remains the biggest challenge for the UT, primarily due to a lack of institutional capacity. The Urban Environment Engineering Department, the nodal agency responsible, has only 19 officers to manage the entire UT’s sewage and drainage system-a shocking indicator of how lightly the issue is being taken. The consequences are visible to all. Sewage and city drainage lines directly culminate in rivers and water bodies. These nullahs have existed since independence, but with rapid urbanisation and exponential population growth, pollution levels have crossed all limits. And yet, the same polluted water is being lifted, treated with alum, and supplied from city to city. This is not water management-it is a recipe for disaster.
Scientific studies have already established the dangers of untreated wastewater entering natural water bodies: spread of waterborne diseases, destruction of aquatic life, and long-term ecological damage. Yet, in J&K, untreated sewage continues to pollute water bodies, with no urgency shown by authorities. What is most disturbing is the culture of endless deadlines. Citizens are expected to wait endlessly while pollution levels worsen. No official or agency is ever held accountable for these repeated failures. The shortage of technical staff in UEED, the delays in project vetting, and the lack of operational STPs all point to one truth: waste management has never been treated as a priority in J&K. The problem is not just financial-it is one of intent and governance.
The situation cannot be allowed to drift any longer. Pollution caused by solid and liquid waste is not a localised nuisance but a public health emergency. The supply of untreated sewage-contaminated water represents a ticking time bomb that could explode at any moment. What is urgently required is accountability. Monthly progress reports, strict timelines, and independent monitoring must be made mandatory. The government must move beyond presentations in closed-door meetings and demonstrate results on the ground. Above all, waste management cannot remain an issue addressed only when the NGT intervenes. It is the core responsibility of the government to ensure clean water, safe disposal of solid waste, and pollution-free surroundings. These are not luxuries-they are basic civic facilities that define citizens’ quality of life and health. This is not just about environment-it is about survival, health, and the dignity of life for the people of J&K.
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