MUZAFFARABAD (Kashmir English): The Government of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) has submitted the PC-I for the first phase of the ‘Suthra Kashmir‘ programme, estimated at Rs1.62 billion, to the Planning and Development Department, sources said.
With this development, the ‘Suthra Kashmir’ under Prime Minister AJK Barrister Iftikhar Gilani’s 100-day reformation plan has formally entered its initial stage.
As per details, the programme aims to modernise solid waste management in major cities across Azad Kashmir, with particular focus on Muzaffarabad and other district headquarters.
Under the initiative, authorities plan to strengthen solid waste management, procure modern sanitation machinery and address other key requirements related to cleanliness and municipal services.
After the approval of PC-I, funds will be released immediately so that practical work can begin on the project, sources added.
Earlier, on September 8, the PML-N led government officially finalised the “Suthra Kashmir” programme, inspired by Punjab’s “Suthra Punjab”.
The decision was discussed at a meeting chaired by Local Government and Rural Development (LG&RD) Secretary Irshad Ahmed Qureshi, where officials finalised key measures for implementing the programme.
Suthra Kashmir to be outsourced
Addressing the meeting, Chairman LG&RD said solid waste management services will be outsourced at the district level, with advertisements inviting private companies expected to be issued within a week.
It was decided that under the programme, solid waste management services across AJK will be handed over to the private sector, while the government institutions will primarily perform regulatory functions.
Qureshi added that once contracts were awarded, the selected private operators would be responsible for providing the machinery, vehicles and workforce required for cleaning operations.
A uniform for sanitation workers and machinery staff will also be introduced across AJK to ensure consistency in the cleanliness operations, he said.
The secretary said the government’s 100-day plan also includes steps for creating green spaces, purchasing new waste-management vehicles, developing model villages and beautifying cities.
“A comprehensive plan is also being prepared for waste collection across AJK, including a system for collecting household waste at the village level with the participation of elected local government representatives, youth and women councillors.”
Mayors and district council representatives welcomed the initiative, saying the inclusion of rural areas was essential as waste management has become a growing challenge beyond major cities, the statement added.
Officials also briefed the meeting on existing waste-management systems, their environmental impact, the Clean Punjab model and waste-management practices involving private companies in South Asia. The meeting concluded with group discussions on strengthening the institutional capacity of local councils.
