The Srinagar Smart City Limited (SSCL) on Monday claimed that the Balidan Stambh, coming up at Pratap Park, is expected to be completed by August 15, 2024. The CEO of SSCL, who also heads the Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC), Dr Owais Ahmad, said the corporation is working to manage the waste at the Achan dumping site scientifically.
According to the news agency Kashmir News Observer (KNO), the SSCL CEO stated that the construction of Balidan Stambh has been ongoing since January this year and is nearing completion.
“The work is progressing well, and we expect to complete the project by August 15 this year,” he said.
Regarding the regulation of footpaths and parking, he added that illegally parked vehicles will be lifted, seized, and challaned under the relevant provisions.
Dr. Owais Ahmad, who inspected the progress of Balidan Stambh at Pratap Park Srinagar, emphasized the importance of scientific waste management at the Achan dumping site.
“We are striving to manage the waste at the Achan dumping site scientifically. We have qualified for City 2.0, through which we will receive funding of approximately Rs 200 crores from the government,” he said.
Discussing bioremediation efforts at Achan, Dr. Owais stated, “We will be addressing 1,100,000 metric tons of waste at the site. A bioremediation tender has already been floated. In the coming days, we will also establish additional facilities, such as material recovery facilities and other infrastructure, to ensure scientific waste disposal.” (KNO)