Kashmir Impulse Desk

Srinagar, April 2

A large share of the infrastructure built to manage rural waste in Jammu and Kashmir is not working, according to government data presented to lawmakers on Thursday, raising questions about the effectiveness of a program meant to improve sanitation across villages.

Of the 2849 waste segregation sheds constructed in rural areas, 662 are non-functional despite an investment of about Rs 82.97 crore, officials said in a written response in the Legislative Assembly.

The problem is especially acute in parts of northern Kashmir. 

In Kupwara, nearly all of the sheds – 298 out of 319 – are not in use. Pulwama and Baramulla also reported high numbers of idle facilities, while in Rajouri, every one of the 258 constructed sheds was listed as non-operational.

Officials attributed the breakdown largely to a lack of funds for operation and maintenance, as well as shortages of staff to run the facilities – a recurring challenge in sustaining rural infrastructure after it is built.

Elsewhere, the picture is more mixed. 

Districts including Anantnag, Budgam, Kishtwar, Ganderbal, Shopian, and Udhampur reported their sheds as fully functional, suggesting uneven implementation across the region.

The data also pointed to gaps in the broader waste management chain. 

Of 899 vehicles meant to collect and transport waste, 31 are out of service, while several districts including Doda, Kathua, Rajouri, Reasi, Samba, Srinagar, and Udhampur reported having no such vehicles in their rural areas at all.

Even where systems are in place, capacity varies widely. 

In Pulwama, half of the 24 vehicles are non-functional, while in Ramban more than half of the fleet is out of service.

Officials said rural waste collection is carried out through door-to-door systems, with garbage transported to segregation sheds. 

Plastic waste is then sent to specialized processing units, while biodegradable material is handled through compost pits or small biogas plants.

But with key links in that chain either missing or not working, the system has struggled to function as intended.

The response also highlighted staffing shortages beyond sanitation. 

Fifty-three administrative blocks currently lack full-time Block Development Officers, with interim arrangements in place until recruitment is completed.

Together, the figures point to a broader challenge: building infrastructure has proven easier than maintaining it, leaving parts of the rural waste system under strain even as investment continues.