Srinagar: The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has questioned the Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) over extending the deadline for clearing nearly 11 lakh metric tonnes of legacy waste at the Achan landfill by another year.The Tribunal has directed the SMC Commissioner to submit a detailed affidavit explaining the progress made in clearing the accumulated waste, utilisation of processed material and the continuing gap between daily waste generation and scientific treatment in Srinagar.The matter relates to Original Application No. 543/2024, filed by environmental activist Raja Muzaffar Bhat. The case was heard by an NGT bench headed by Chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava, along with Expert Member Afroz Ahmad.Achan Landfill Cleanup Deadline Shifted to March 2028According to the proceedings, SMC had stated in an affidavit submitted in September 2025 that the entire legacy waste at Achan would be cleared by March 2027.However, a fresh compliance report dated March 27, 2026, revised the completion target to March 2028, effectively extending the deadline by one year.The NGT noted that the latest compliance report was not supported by an affidavit and sought an explanation from the Commissioner of Srinagar Municipal Corporation regarding the revised timeline.Nearly 11 Lakh Metric Tonnes of Legacy Waste at AchanAs per SMC’s compliance report, the Achan landfill in Srinagar contains nearly 11 lakh metric tonnes of legacy waste.Bio-mining and remediation operations have commenced, and approximately 40,000 metric tonnes of waste have been processed so far. The processed waste is being segregated into recyclables, refuse-derived fuel (RDF), inert material and soil.SMC said a trommel machine and ballistic separator are currently operational, while another trommel machine is being installed to increase the pace of bio-mining. Despite these measures, the civic body has maintained that remediation is now expected to be completed by March 2028.Srinagar Generates Up to 550 Tonnes of Waste DailyThe compliance report has also highlighted a significant shortfall in Srinagar’s solid waste management capacity.The city generates approximately 520 to 550 tonnes of municipal solid waste every day. Existing infrastructure includes a 100-tonne-per-day Material Recovery Facility and a 50-tonne-per-day windrow composting unit.According to the report, this leaves an estimated 320 to 350 tonnes of waste untreated every day, highlighting the gap between waste generation and available processing capacity.SMC Proposes 800-Tonne-Per-Day Waste Management FacilityTo address the shortfall, SMC has proposed an 800-tonne-per-day Integrated Solid Waste Management Facility.The proposed project includes an RDF plant, compressed biogas (CBG) plant, expanded Material Recovery Facility and scientific landfill. Its Detailed Project Report has been vetted by NIT Srinagar and submitted for administrative approval before being placed before the Cabinet. Tenders are expected to be floated following the required approval.SMC also informed the Tribunal that the effluent treatment plant at Achan is functional, while leachate management has been integrated with bio-mining operations.The Corporation said bio-enzymatic treatment, environmental monitoring, odour suppression and dust-control measures are being undertaken. More than 10,000 litres of herbal anti-odour solution have reportedly been used.NGT Seeks Specific Details From SMC CommissionerSMC further reported that a 125-tonne-per-day construction and demolition waste processing facility is nearing completion. Civil works have been completed, while mechanical works are underway.The civic body also said 3,200 trees have been planted around the Achan landfill, while 35 informal waste pickers are proposed to be brought into the formal waste-management system through training and safety measures.The NGT, however, sought more specific information rather than relying solely on the revised completion timeline.The Tribunal directed the SMC Commissioner to disclose the quantity of legacy waste actually cleared since September 2025, how recovered materials including compost and inert waste have been utilised, the amount of municipal waste generated daily, the quantity scientifically treated each day and the remaining treatment gap.Appearing virtually before the Tribunal, SMC Joint Commissioner Syed Abul Qasim sought three weeks to submit the Commissioner’s affidavit. The Tribunal granted the request and listed the matter for further hearing on October 7, 2026.
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