Srinagar, Sept 28: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday said the government has approved a comprehensive Rs 360-crore project for solid waste management in Srinagar, including the legacy waste at Achan, and assured that blacklisted contractors would not be allowed to participate in the project.
Responding to concerns raised in the Legislative Assembly, Abdullah said the issue of waste management in Srinagar was a legitimate concern and that all eight MLAs representing the city were worried about it.
“I know that all the eight honourable MLAs who are from Srinagar city are concerned about this issue, especially the issue of legacy waste at Achan and its impact not only on Achan and its surrounding areas but almost the entire city,” he said.
He said the government had therefore approved a comprehensive project focused on Achan and solid waste management in Srinagar.
“That is why we have approved a comprehensive project specifically for Achan and Srinagar’s solid waste management,” Abdullah said, adding that “approximately Rs 360 crore” would be spent on it.
Addressing concerns over the participation of blacklisted contractors, the chief minister gave an assurance that such firms would be excluded from the project.
“I assure the honourable MLA through you that any contractors who have been blacklisted will not be considered for this work or these projects,” he said. “They will be kept out of this work.”
Abdullah also said the government would proceed with the project without delay, informing the House that the deadline for opening the bids was October 1.
“The last date for bid opening is October 1. The bids will be opened on October 1 and the project will be allotted,” he said.
