Achi news desk-
SRINAGAR: Secretary, Rural Development Department (RDD) and Panchayati Raj, Dr Shahid Iqbal Choudhary visited Pulwama on Tuesday to assess the progress of door-to-door waste collection, Plastic Waste Management Units (PWMUs), and other assets established under the Swachh Bharat Mission-Gramin (SBM-G) in the area.
The Deputy Commissioner, Pulwama, Dr. Basharat Qayoom, Director General, Rural Sanitation, J&K, said that Anoo Malhotra, Director General, Rural Sanitation, J&K, was present in the meeting.
Dr Shahid emphasized the importance of efficient waste management systems in rural areas and underlined the significance of proper waste disposal mechanisms in protecting health and environmental hygiene. The RDD Secretary interacted with officials and local stakeholders to measure the challenges and requirements in terms of maintaining the ongoing waste management initiatives.
Dr Shahid emphasized the importance of investing in capacity building and training of field officers involved in sanitation efforts. The RDD Secretary emphasized the need to provide exposure and ownership to these officers, underlining their central role in the success of sanitation initiatives.
He discussed the status and challenges of plastic waste management in the region, mentioning that around 116 PWMUs have been physically completed and 23 are under construction in J&K. Dr Shahid asked officials not to start new units until the existing ones are fully operational, stressing quality over quantity. He drew attention to the gaps in terms of functionality and the need for appropriate planning and engineering to ensure that the units achieve their purpose effectively.
Secretary RDD underlined the significance of community participation in sanitation initiatives, especially through the establishment of sanitation committees at village level. Dr Shahid revealed plans to build a network of community sanitary complexes (CSCs) along major highways and public places in the union territory. He said that we can establish 100-200 CSCs along highways in J&K along major roads and tourist routes to serve the public efficiently.
DG, Rural Sanitation, J&K, Anoo Malhotra emphasized the need to implement effective sanitation and waste management programs across the district. He emphasized the importance of completing the verification process within the specified time frame and encouraged officers to ensure correct documentation before submission.
DG Rural Sanitation called for detailed planning and preparation for upcoming projects, including the completion of Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) and Request for Proposals (RFPs) for construction assets.
Addressing concerns about infrastructure and resource availability, he emphasized the importance of identifying suitable land parcels for Faecal Sludge Treatment Sites (FSTPs) and ensuring adequate electricity and road connectivity for project sites. Furthermore, Malhotra discussed the expansion of waste management initiatives to include construction and demolition waste, e-waste and sanitary waste.
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