Director General (DG), Rural Sanitation, Anoo Malhotra today conducted an extensive tour of South Kashmir districts to assess the functionality of assets created under Swachh Bharat Mission Gramin (SBMG). The tour was held with an aim to evaluate the progress of rural sanitation initiatives and identify areas for improvement in Pulwama, Shopian, Kulgam and Anantnag districts.
During the tour, the DG inspected several locations across South Kashmir to review the implementation of SBMG, including CSCs, waste management units, community soak pits and other facilities. While inspecting Kakapora block of Pulwama district, Anoo Malhotra appreciated the ecosystem created in the established Plastic Waste Management Unit (PWMU), directing BDOs and officers of other districts to visit this unit and develop the PWMUs on same pattern.
She also directed the officers to explore the business model options for organic manure being produced in the PWMU from household waste at Kakapora. In Shopian, Anoo Malhotra visited the CSCs, PWMUs and Community Soak Pits constructed in different panchayats of Shopian district.
At Government Higher Secondary School, Narpora Shopian, she advised the school administration to develop a ‘Swachhata Bank’ with the help of Rural Sanitation department and reward the people for depositing plastic waste there. In Kulgam district, the DG inaugurated PWMU at Panchayat Ashmuji. In addition to assessing SBMG assets, the DG also inaugurated a public park developed on Community Soak Pit in panchayat Warpora, which will provide recreational space for local community and contribute to the overall beautification of the area.
In block Keller of the Kulgam district, the expert team of Project Management Unit (PMU) headed by Sumit Mehta also visited the site identified for construction of Faecal Sludge Management (FSM) for scientific disposal of Faecal matter. While concluding the two days tour to south Kashmir, Anoo Malhotra visited several sites in Anantnag district where she assessed the functionality status of assets created under SBM-G.
She directed the officers to explore the business model of waste generated for the sustenance of the mission and further directed the ACPs and engineers to consult for technical interventions through the Project Management Unit deployed by Directorate of Rural Sanitation before undergoing construction of any assets.
Speaking about the tour, the DG emphasized the importance of maintaining high standards of sanitation in rural areas. She highlighted the role of SBMG assets in improving the quality of life for rural residents and reiterated the government’s commitment to promoting cleanliness and hygiene.
The tour of South Kashmir is part of a series of visits conducted by the DG to monitor the progress of rural sanitation initiatives and to ensure the effective implementation of SBMG assets. Deputy Director Rural Sanitation, Kashmir, ACD Kulgam, ACP Pulwama, ACP Shopian, ACP Anantnag, BDOs of concerned districts, Engineers of Rural Engineering Wing, Panchayat Secretaries and other officers accompanied the DG during the visit.