Srinagar, Mar 1: Finally, the administration on Tuesday woke-up to save environment from pollution through a multi pronged strategy of putting check on use of polythene bags and also review the “haphazard” working of automobile workshops.
 The decisions to fight the polythene menace and other issues were taken during a high level meeting of officials chaired by Divisional Commissioner, Dr Asgar Hassan Samoon who constituted various teams for the tasks.

‘HAPHAZARD’ WORKSHOPS
 Following complaints that some workshops in the City could be running in the violation of norms by either causing more of pollution or disturbance in the smooth flow of traffic, the divisional administration directed the State Pollution Control Board and other concerned organizations to review the matter and submit a report in a time bound matter.
 Dr Samoon said the workshops, which are violating norms would face music.
 “And if the inspection team finds that the workshops are causing pollution particularly if they are close to waterbodies, they will have to be relocated,” Dr Samoon informed.
 The meeting, as per an official handout decided that LAWDA shall undertake mapping of automobile workshops around Dal lake area, Srinagar Municipal Corporation in the areas under its control, Srinagar Development Authority in the areas under SDA and R&B Department along the National Highway.
 The Divisional Commissioner sought views of the officers concerned regarding “cluster approach for workshops in some areas”.
 He directed Pollution Control Board to identify unauthorised workshops as per PCB criteria and also inspect the government owned workshops for disposal mechanism adopted by them.

POLYTHENE MENACE
 A special team has been constituted to keep vigil at the Lower Munda check post on the Srinagar-Jammu highway so that the import of polythene is blocked much before its entry into the City or elsewhere in Kashmir Valley.
 “Raiding shops or godowns will be of little help. We need to put a check at the source,” Dr Samoon told the meeting while directing for a check on the highway.
 He directed Regional Director Pollution Control Board to “ensure a mechanism for complete stoppage of entry of polythene at the entry check post at Lower Munda so that polythene menace is completely checked.”
  Traffic Police, Commercial Taxes Department and District Administration, Anantnag shall provide full assistance to PCB in this behalf. Divisional Commissioner nominated Mian Javed, Regional Director, Ecology and Environment as Nodal Officer on behalf of Divisional Commissioner on the environment related matters.

THE MEETING
 Among others the meeting was attended by Vice Chairman LAWDA, Irfan Yaseen, Vice Chairman SDA,  Kifayat Hussain, Chief Engineer R&B, Nazir Ahmad, Chief Engineer M&RE,  MA Salroo, Regional Director, PCB, Farooq Geelani, Regional Director, Environment,  Mian Javed, Joint Director Information, Farooq Ahmad Lone, Deputy Director, State Motor Garages,  Shabir Ahmad, General Manager, SRTC, Suhail Khan, officers of Municipal Corporation and other functionaries.

BATTERY WASTE CONCERN

*Interestingly, it’s for the first time that the issue of hazardous waste generated by recycling of batteries was also discussed.

*“Issue of Battery Recycling outlets generated hazardous waste also came up for discussion in the meeting. Divisional Commissioner directed Chief Engineer, mechanical to conduct a survey and furnish recommendations in this regard,” an official handout said.

Lastupdate on : Tue, 1 Mar 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Tue, 1 Mar 2011 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Wed, 2 Mar 2011 00:00:00 IST