DG Rural Sanitation Conducts Comprehensive Tour of South Kashmir, Assesses Swachh Bharat Mission Gramin Implementation

BuzzBytes Srinagar, February 29: Anoo Malhotra, Director General of Rural Sanitation, undertook an extensive tour of South Kashmir districts to evaluate the functionality of assets created under the Swachh Bharat Mission Gramin (SBMG) and assess the progress of rural sanitation initiatives in Pulwama, Shopian, Kulgam, and Anantnag districts.The tour aimed at inspecting various locations across South Kashmir to review the implementation of SBMG, including Common Service Centres (CSCs), waste management units, community soak pits, and other facilities.During the inspection in Kakapora block of Pulwama district, Anoo Malhotra praised the ecosystem created in the Plastic Waste Management Unit (PWMU) and directed officials to replicate this model in other districts. She urged the exploration of business models for organic manure produced from household waste at the Kakapora unit.In Shopian, the DG visited CSCs, PWMUs, and Community Soak Pits in different panchayats. At Government Higher Secondary School, Narpora Shopian, she suggested the establishment of a ‘Swachhata Bank’ to encourage the depositing of plastic waste, with rewards for contributors.In Kulgam, Anoo Malhotra inaugurated the PWMU at Panchayat Ashmuji and a public park developed on a Community Soak Pit in Panchayat Warpora. She emphasized the recreational and beautification aspects of such initiatives.In the Keller block of Kulgam, the Project Management Unit (PMU) team assessed the site designated for the construction of Faecal Sludge Management (FSM) for the scientific disposal of faecal matter.Concluding the tour in Anantnag district, the DG assessed the functionality of SBM-G assets and urged officers to explore business models for waste generated to sustain the mission. She directed technical consultations with the Project Management Unit before initiating construction.Anoo Malhotra highlighted the importance of maintaining high sanitation standards in rural areas, emphasizing the role of SBMG assets in improving rural residents’ quality of life. The tour is part of a series of visits by the DG to monitor rural sanitation progress and ensure effective SBMG asset implementation.Accompanying the DG during the visit were 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.