Srinagar, Jul 29, KDC: The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has sought a detailed affidavit from the Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) over the status of legacy waste clearance at the Achan landfill, taking note of the delay in remediation and the extension of the completion deadline from March 2027 to March 2028.
Hearing a petition filed by environmental activist Raja Muzaffar Bhat, the Principal Bench of the NGT observed that SMC had informed the Tribunal in September 2025 that the entire legacy waste at Achan would be cleared by March 2027. However, its latest compliance report, dated March 27, 2026, revised the deadline to March 2028.
The Tribunal also noted that the latest compliance report was not supported by an affidavit and directed the Commissioner, Srinagar Municipal Corporation, to file a fresh affidavit giving detailed information on the progress made in clearing the accumulated waste.
The NGT has asked SMC to disclose the quantity of legacy waste cleared since September 2025, the method adopted for its treatment, and the utilisation of compost and inert material generated during processing.
It has also sought details regarding the quantity of solid waste generated in Srinagar every day, the amount being treated daily and the existing gap between waste generation and treatment.
According to SMC’s compliance report, around 11 lakh metric tonnes of legacy waste are lying at the Achan landfill, while only about 40,000 metric tonnes have so far been processed through bio-mining.
The Corporation said the waste is being segregated into recyclables, refuse-derived fuel (RDF), inert material and soil. It further stated that bio-mining operations are being scaled up, with the revised target for completion now fixed for March 2028.
The report also revealed a substantial gap between the amount of municipal waste generated in Srinagar and the city’s existing capacity to process it.
Srinagar generates around 520 to 550 tonnes of municipal solid waste every day, while the existing processing facilities can handle only about 150 tonnes per day, leaving a treatment gap of around 320 to 350 tonnes daily.
To address the shortfall, SMC has proposed an 800 tonnes-per-day Integrated Solid Waste Management Facility, comprising an RDF plant, compressed biogas (CBG) plant, an expanded Material Recovery Facility (MRF) and a scientific landfill.
The proposed facility, however, is awaiting administrative approval.
The Tribunal granted SMC three weeks to file a fresh affidavit through its Commissioner addressing the issues raised, including the progress of legacy waste remediation and the continuing gap between daily waste generation and treatment.
The matter has been listed for further hearing on October 7, 2026. (KDC)
