SRINAGAR: Mirwaiz-e-Kashmir DrMoulvi Muhammad Umar Farooq on Sunday said Srinagar residents are facing a severe public health and environmental crisis due to the foul stench emanating from the Achan garbage landfill. The site, containing over 11 lakh metric tonnes of legacy waste with 550 tonnes dumped daily, continues to rot and spread unbearable odor across the city.
In a statement issued here, Mirwaiz emphasised the urgency of the situation, highlighting that residents, even those living far from the landfill, are affected, especially during evenings. He said there are rising cases of respiratory and skin illnesses among the population, underscoring the health hazards posed by the ongoing crisis.
Mirwaiz said that RTI activist Raja Muzaffar has been tirelessly pursuing the issue with authorities for the past two years, but little progress has been made. Community members and local Mohalla committees have appealed for immediate intervention.
The top religious leader said he will raise the issue at Jama Masjid this Friday, urging the authorities, including the Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC), to prioritise making Srinagar a livable and stench-free city before pursuing broader development plans like transforming it into a smart city.