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| WHO findings embarrass SMC | | Srinagar figures among world's most polluted cities | | Early Times Report
Jammu, May 5: The recent findings by World Health Organization (WHO) have turned out to be a big slap at the faces of those who claim of making Srinagar as Smart City in India.
The WHO findings for 2016 place Srinagar at serial No 10 among 15 worst polluted cities. These findings are based on the quality of air and respirable suspended particulate matter in the air that enter lungs.
While the construction sites are known for polluting atmosphere with particulate matter that comes from dust emissions, the Srinagar Municipal Corporation has failed in even taking basic precautionary measures like spraying water at the sites to prevent particulate matter from polluting the air.
Evidence of this can be observed in places like Lal Chowk and Jehangir Chowk, where the government is carrying out multiple large-scale projects.
The rising pollution level has become a cause of worry with tourist as well locals finding it difficult to breathe in various parts of the city.
Meanwhile, the findings have falsified the claims of according the status of the Smart City to the Summer Capital of the state.
Furthermore, as per data available on SMC website, over 450 metric tons of solid waste is generated with the SMC limits on daily basis. Due to various reasons this waste is not at all treated and is finally dumped at Achen landfill site in Srinagar. As per the power point presentation uploaded on SMC website for seeking feedback on developing Srinagar into a Smart City not even in a single residential area (colonies , mohallas etc) or commercial establishments have the facility of segregation of solid waste . Due to absence of this facility all the waste (bio degradable / non bio degradable) generated in these areas is lifted in SMC vehicles and dumped unscientifically without any treatment. A senior official while pleading anonymity told Early Times that the announcement of Smart City for Srinagar is a mere mirage and is more political in nature."There is no sewage treatment in place, no adequate water and power supplies. I think the government should first make a Smart Street and then only think of a Smart City for the place like Srinagar," said the official, adding that it is likely that the GOI wouldn't accord the status of the Smart City for Srinagar until the basic requirements are met.
If one compares the standards needed for the creation of the Smart City, Srinagar is lagging far behind. Smart City is an urban place where a proper scientific system is in operation that fulfills basic requirements of the inhabitants of that particular city . A smart city has to have proper and adequate water supply, 24 x 7 electricity supply, better sanitation, including solid waste management facilities , better public transport services, affordable housing, especially for poor and better Internet and IT services. |
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