Greater Kashmir: Ganderbal: Monday, 23 February 2026.
The RTI, filed by social activist Manzoor Ahmad Wani, provides block-wise details of expenditure during the period
Despite an expenditure of
more than Rs 6.50 crore over the past five years on rural solid waste
management, Ganderbal continues to struggle with poor sanitation and
ineffective waste disposal systems on the ground.
Information obtained under the Right to Information (RTI) Act reveals that Rs 6.50 crore was spent on Solid Waste Management (SWM) in rural areas of the district between 2020 and 2025. However, residents and social activists say the investment has failed to translate into visible improvements.
The RTI, filed by social activist Manzoor Ahmad Wani, provides block-wise details of expenditure during the period.
According to the data, Lar block received Rs 1.05 crore, Sherpathri Rs 29.63 lakh, Safapora Rs 38.60 lakh, Gund Rs 1.03 crore, Kangan Rs 98.05 lakh, Ganderbal block Rs 1.17 crore and Wakura Rs 1.58 crore for improving rural sanitation infrastructure.
Despite this substantial spending, locals say the situation in many villages remains unchanged. Several areas continue to witness irregular waste collection, absence of waste segregation at source, underutilisation of available infrastructure and poor long-term sustainability of waste management systems.
“Despite this significant financial investment, an assessment of ground realities suggests that the solid waste management system has not delivered the expected results,” Manzoor Ahmad said. “Many rural areas continue to face irregular waste collection, lack of segregation, inadequate utilisation of infrastructure and weak sustainability. This problem is not limited to Ganderbal alone but is visible across much of Kashmir.”
Social activists have also questioned the effectiveness of planning and execution, suggesting that better monitoring and community participation could have improved outcomes. Some have argued that channelising a portion of these funds towards welfare schemes, including housing support under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, might have delivered more tangible benefits to economically vulnerable families.
They said the RTI findings should act as a wake-up call for the authorities to reassess existing strategies, strengthen accountability mechanisms and adopt a more result-oriented approach to rural development and sanitation initiatives.
With mounting concerns over environmental health and public hygiene, residents say mere allocation of funds is not enough unless backed by effective implementation, sustained awareness campaigns and regular monitoring at the grassroots level.
The RTI, filed by social activist Manzoor Ahmad Wani, provides block-wise details of expenditure during the period
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| Crores spent, garbage remains: Ganderbal’s waste management falters___Representational image |
Information obtained under the Right to Information (RTI) Act reveals that Rs 6.50 crore was spent on Solid Waste Management (SWM) in rural areas of the district between 2020 and 2025. However, residents and social activists say the investment has failed to translate into visible improvements.
The RTI, filed by social activist Manzoor Ahmad Wani, provides block-wise details of expenditure during the period.
According to the data, Lar block received Rs 1.05 crore, Sherpathri Rs 29.63 lakh, Safapora Rs 38.60 lakh, Gund Rs 1.03 crore, Kangan Rs 98.05 lakh, Ganderbal block Rs 1.17 crore and Wakura Rs 1.58 crore for improving rural sanitation infrastructure.
Despite this substantial spending, locals say the situation in many villages remains unchanged. Several areas continue to witness irregular waste collection, absence of waste segregation at source, underutilisation of available infrastructure and poor long-term sustainability of waste management systems.
“Despite this significant financial investment, an assessment of ground realities suggests that the solid waste management system has not delivered the expected results,” Manzoor Ahmad said. “Many rural areas continue to face irregular waste collection, lack of segregation, inadequate utilisation of infrastructure and weak sustainability. This problem is not limited to Ganderbal alone but is visible across much of Kashmir.”
Social activists have also questioned the effectiveness of planning and execution, suggesting that better monitoring and community participation could have improved outcomes. Some have argued that channelising a portion of these funds towards welfare schemes, including housing support under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, might have delivered more tangible benefits to economically vulnerable families.
They said the RTI findings should act as a wake-up call for the authorities to reassess existing strategies, strengthen accountability mechanisms and adopt a more result-oriented approach to rural development and sanitation initiatives.
With mounting concerns over environmental health and public hygiene, residents say mere allocation of funds is not enough unless backed by effective implementation, sustained awareness campaigns and regular monitoring at the grassroots level.
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