Secretary RDD asks DCs to fast-track cluster-based waste management

Srinagar, Jul 30: Secretary, Rural Development Department (RDD) and Panchayati Raj, Muhammad Aijaz Asad, on Thursday directed all Deputy Commissioners to fast-track implementation of the Swachh Bharat Mission-Grameen (SBM-G) by adopting cluster-based waste management systems, operationalising Door-to-Door (D2D) waste collection in every village, expediting sanitation infrastructure works and strengthening community participation to build clean, healthy and sustainable rural communities across Jammu and Kashmir.
Chairing a comprehensive review meeting on the overall performance of SBM-G and implementation of District Sanitation Plans, the Secretary reviewed the physical and financial progress of sanitation projects across the Union Territory.
The meeting was attended by Director General, Rural Sanitation, all District Development Commissioners, Director Finance, RDD, Superintending Engineers, REW (Jammu/Kashmir), Deputy Directors, Rural Sanitation, Assistant Commissioners Panchayats and Executive Engineers of REW.
Appreciating the presentations made by Bandipora and Budgam, Aijaz Asad said the innovative sanitation models adopted by the two districts have the potential to serve as templates for replication across Jammu and Kashmir. He advocated a cluster-based approach to solid waste management, enabling adjoining blocks to pool financial resources, machinery and manpower for efficient and financially sustainable waste management systems.
The Secretary stressed the need to identify and map village-level waste collection points, establish secondary collection centres wherever required and prepare scientific transportation routes for waste collection vehicles. He also encouraged districts to explore Public-Private Partnership (PPP) and Viability Gap Funding (VGF) models while making optimum use of departmental machinery and resources.
He further instructed all districts to prepare Gram Panchayat-wise inventories of sanitation assets, clearly assign operation and maintenance responsibilities and draw up monthly maintenance schedules to ensure the sustained functionality of completed infrastructure.
Aijaz Asad directed all districts to operationalise Door-to-Door (D2D) waste collection in every village. He asked officials to finalise collection routes, map all households and commercial establishments, engage collection agencies and develop forward linkages with recycling industries, cement plants and other authorised agencies for scientific processing and disposal of waste.
To make sanitation systems financially sustainable, the Secretary instructed districts to generate own-source revenue through user charges and the sale of compost, recyclable material and e-waste.
Emphasising the importance of managing waste generated by institutions, markets and commercial establishments, Asad directed districts to identify and register all bulk waste generators. He also stressed greater community ownership of the mission by actively involving Self-Help Groups, NGOs, civil society organisations, religious leaders, social influencers and Swachhata Champions in sanitation campaigns.
The Secretary underlined user fee collection as a key component for ensuring the long-term sustainability of sanitation services and directed districts to create awareness regarding user charges through Panchayat by-laws.
Reiterating that the success of rural sanitation must go beyond the creation of infrastructure, Aijaz Asad said the focus should now be on ensuring the functionality, maintenance and long-term sustainability of sanitation assets. He called upon all district administrations to work in mission mode to achieve the objectives of SBM-G and transform rural Jammu and Kashmir into a model of cleanliness and environmental sustainability.
The meeting was informed that under the Annual Implementation Plan (AIP) 2026-27, a total of 10,083 sanitation assets have been targeted across Jammu and Kashmir. These include 2,100 Community Compost Pits, 3,424 Community Soak Pits, 4,069 Community Sanitary Complexes, 105 Segregation Sheds, 20 Plastic Waste Management Units, 33 Faecal Sludge Treatment Plants, 317 DEWATS and 15 GOBARdhan Biogas Plants. So far, 5,569 works (55%) have been tendered.
Reviewing progress under ODF+, the meeting was informed that out of 6,185 ODF+ Model Villages, 6,036 have completed the first verification, while 149 remain pending. Additionally, 277 villages are awaiting the second verification after completion of the mandatory 180-day period. The Secretary directed all concerned districts to complete the pending verifications on priority.
The Secretary also reviewed the findings of Swachh Survekshan Grameen 2025, under which Kulgam secured the top rank in Jammu and Kashmir, followed by Samba and Kathua. He appreciated the best-performing districts and urged other districts to improve sanitation indicators through focused interventions, timely execution of works and sustained public participation.