SRINAGAR: The Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) is intensifying autumn sanitation measures to promote scientific management of fallen leaves, prevent open burning and protect drainage channels and water bodies, while reviewing the upkeep and construction of animal welfare facilities and other civic infrastructure across the city.
Municipal Commissioner and Chief Executive Officer of Srinagar Smart City Limited (SSCL), Dr. Basharat Qayoom, has directed officials to strengthen sanitation arrangements, improve maintenance of public facilities and ensure quality execution and timely completion of ongoing infrastructure projects.
Under the autumn sanitation drive, the SMC will focus on dedicated collection of fallen leaves, segregation at source and decentralised composting to convert biodegradable waste into a resource for horticultural use.
Ward-level sanitation teams will identify areas with heavy leaf accumulation and vulnerable drainage points. Additional sanitation rounds and field inspections will be undertaken in areas requiring greater attention, with particular emphasis on preventing leaves and other waste from entering drains and water bodies, including the Jhelum, Dal Lake and Nigeen Lake.
Qayoom said fallen leaves should be treated as a resource rather than discarded as waste, stressing the need for segregation and composting to reduce environmental pollution and improve urban cleanliness.
The Corporation will strengthen monitoring through ward-wise sanitation plans and periodic reporting by supervisory officers. Government institutions, commercial establishments, residential communities and other bulk generators of horticultural waste will be encouraged to adopt on-site or cluster-level composting.
The SMC will also discourage the open burning of leaves and municipal waste through public awareness and action under applicable legal provisions. Citizens have been urged to segregate leaf litter and hand it over through authorised collection arrangements.
Separately, Qayoom inspected the animal welfare facility at Tengpora, reviewed construction of a similar facility at Chaterhama and assessed progress on the Modern Abattoir at Aloochibagh.
At Tengpora, he directed officials to ensure proper sanitation, regular maintenance and hygienic conditions at the facility. At Chaterhama, engineers and executing agencies were instructed to maintain construction quality and expedite the remaining work within the stipulated timeline.
During the inspection of the Modern Abattoir at Aloochibagh, the Commissioner stressed compliance with approved specifications and standards relating to hygiene, sanitation and operational efficiency. He directed officials to monitor construction closely and ensure that the facility meets the requirements for safe and scientific slaughterhouse operations.
In another review, Qayoom inspected the Souq Market and Craft Centre at Batamaloo, the under-construction electric bus charging station in the area and the Integrated Command and Control Centre (ICCC) at HMT.
At the Souq Market and Craft Centre, he reviewed operational status and maintenance requirements, directing officials to ensure proper upkeep of the facilities.
Reviewing the electric bus charging station, he called for adherence to construction standards, coordination among executing agencies and timely resolution of bottlenecks. He stressed that the project should be completed within the stipulated timeline to support Srinagar’s electric bus fleet and promote cleaner public transport.
At the ICCC, Qayoom reviewed monitoring mechanisms and technology-enabled operations, calling for better coordination among departments, timely information sharing and effective follow-up on civic issues identified through the centre’s systems.
He directed officials to strengthen preventive maintenance and promptly address deficiencies across the inspected facilities, emphasising that the effectiveness of Smart City infrastructure should be assessed by its continued functionality and contribution to public convenience.
The inspections were attended by senior officials of the SMC and SSCL, including the Joint Commissioners for Administration and Works, the Chief Engineer of SSCL, the General Manager of ICCC, the Municipal Veterinary Officer, the Divisional Forest Officer and executive engineers from the concerned departments.
