NGT slams J&K govt over poor waste management in Katra

The Jammu and Kashmir government on Tuesday faced flak from the National Green Tribunal on poor solid waste management in Katra, the base camp of the Vaishnodevi shrine in Reasi district.

“Why have you created such a mess in Katra? It is the most revenue earning town in the state. Your bus station is in horrible condition with garbage and polythene spread all over the area. Everybody throws waste here and there as there are no dustbins. Why don’t you do something about the bus station.“The whole bus station is overcrowded with buses and there is hardly any space to walk. Besides, there are shops all over. You better regulate it or we will shut them down,” a bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar said adding “shrine board is equally responsible for doing nothing.”  The green panel also prohibited the use of any kind of plastic by shopkeepers and directed the Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board to issue appropriate notification in this regard.