BARAMULLA: Director General, Rural Sanitation, Anoo Malhotra on Wednesday reviewed the implementation of Swachh Bharat Mission (Grameen) projects in Baramulla and directed officials to expedite sanitation works and strengthen waste management services across the district.
Chairing a review meeting, Malhotra assessed the progress of key initiatives under the mission, including rural sanitation infrastructure, door-to-door waste collection, tendering of sanitation projects and operation and maintenance of existing assets.
The meeting was attended by Deputy Director, Rural Sanitation Kashmir, Shabir Ahmad Hakak, Assistant Commissioner Panchayat (ACP) Baramulla Mudasir Hussain, Block Development Officers, Assistant Engineers, Junior Engineers, consultants and other officials.
Conducting a block-wise review, the Director General directed all Block Development Officers to accelerate execution of sanctioned works and ensure their timely completion while maintaining quality standards.
She asked the Assistant Commissioner Panchayat to closely monitor the progress of ongoing projects and ensure completion within the prescribed timelines.
Malhotra also directed officials to strengthen door-to-door waste collection services and make Plastic Waste Management Units, segregation sheds and other solid and liquid waste management infrastructure fully operational to improve sanitation in rural areas.
Calling for special attention to Gulmarg, she instructed the district administration to work towards making the tourist destination a plastic-free zone.
The Director General said effective planning, regular monitoring, inter-departmental coordination and timely implementation at the block level were essential for achieving the objectives of the Swachh Bharat Mission (Grameen) and ensuring cleaner villages.
Later, a technical session on Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) was held in accordance with the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2026. The session focused on the responsibility of Producers, Importers and Brand Owners (PIBOs) to establish mechanisms for collection, recycling and environmentally sound disposal of post-consumer waste generated from their products and packaging.
