Kashmir Impulse Desk

Srinagar, May 1 

The Municipal Council in Baramulla is considering installing CCTV cameras along the banks of the Jhelum River to identify and act against people allegedly dumping garbage into the river and surrounding areas, officials said.

The move comes amid growing concerns over the deteriorating condition of riverbanks in Baramulla town, where heaps of garbage and plastic waste continue to accumulate despite regular sanitation drives by the civic body.

Areas near Baitul Mukaram Masjid and adjoining stretches along the riverbank have witnessed persistent dumping of waste, resulting in foul smell and raising environmental and public health concerns, locals said.

Street vendors and kiosk owners in the area said sanitation workers clean the riverbanks regularly, but garbage reappears within hours due to indiscriminate littering.

“Whoever comes here throws garbage on the riverbanks. There is a pungent smell throughout the day, and even customers feel uncomfortable standing here,” local vendor Rizwan Ahmad said, alleging that some hotel and food business operators were among those contributing to the waste problem.

Another vendor, Fakhar, said open dumping by food sellers and other commercial establishments was affecting both business activity and public health.

“Our customers cannot stay here even for a minute due to the unbearable smell,” he said, adding that attempts to confront people dumping waste often lead to hostile reactions.

Executive Officer of Municipal Council Baramulla, Farhana Showkat, said the civic body was carrying out regular sanitation drives but continued to face lack of public cooperation.

“I think there is no other option than to install CCTV cameras so that culprits are caught on camera and FIRs can be registered against them,” Showkat said.

She said the river remains a primary source of drinking water for several residential areas in Baramulla and warned that continued pollution could have serious consequences.

“It is disheartening to see that people do not cooperate with us. People do not understand that they are dependent on the same water body being polluted by them,” she said.