Sopore, Dec 30: Days after the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), highlighted the shocking state of a dried Jhelum stretch in Sopore being turned into a dumping ground, the Municipal Council on Tuesday launched a major sanitation drive to clear the heaps of waste choking the riverbed.
Officials informed that the teams from the sanitation wing, equipped with loaders and vehicles, began removing piles of plastic crates, fish residue and mixed garbage from the site in Ward 15—an area that had sparked public fury over unchecked dumping.
The drive has brought visible relief to nearby traders and residents who had complained of unbearable stench and shrinking business.
Local shopkeepers and traders hailed the swift response from the authorities, crediting media coverage for prompt action. “We are thankful that the issue was highlighted. The council has finally acted, and cleaning is underway. This shows how public grievances, when reported, can make a real difference,” said Mohammad Shafi, a trader whose shop faces the cleaned river stretch.
Residents, while appreciating the Municipal Council’s efforts, urged the administration to install fencing along the bridge to deter offenders who reportedly dump waste during late evening hours.
Meanwhile, officials of Municipal Council Sopore said the sanitation drive will continue for the next few days and that violators identified through local inputs and field inspections would face penalties.
Pertinently, the KNO had recently carried a detailed report on December 27, highlighting how a dried stretch of the Jhelum in Sopore had turned into a dumping ground, drawing sharp public criticism. Following the news report, authorities swiftly swung into action, launching a dedicated sanitation drive to clear the accumulated waste and restore cleanliness along the river stretch—(KNO)
