A survey by India's Urban Development Ministry has ranked Srinagar city, the summer capital of India-controlled Kashmir as the fourth dirtiest city among Indian cities.
The survey based on sanitation ratings, released Tuesday in New Delhi, said Srinagar figures in the "red zone" of pollution, as the city has scored a mere 19.1 on a scale of 100 in the National Rating and Award Scheme for Sanitationfor Indian Cities.
"The listing of Srinagar city as the fourth dirtiest city puts a question mark on the local government for its claims of spending money in sanitation and development sector. It should serve as an eye opener for our officials," said Burhan Majid, a lawyer at the City Court.
Srinagar is a picturesque city founded around the year 10 BC. It is an important tourist destination, for the city is famous for its lakes and gardens.
The city has a full-fledged Municipal Corporation that is entrusted with the job to keep city clean.
Of 423 cities ranked in the survey, Srinagar figures at 420 just above three lesser known cities -- Pilbit and Lakhanpur in Uttar Pradesh, and Churu in Rajasthan.
Environmentalists in the region for past two decades have been pointing to the poor sanitation and deterioration of water bodies in rinagar. However, their calls have long fallen on deaf ears.
Last year the region's High Court held the house-boats on the waters of Dal Lake responsible for polluting the lake.
It took cognizance of a report submitted by region's Pollution Control Board saying the open lavatories and refuse from kitchens of the house-boats are a major source of pollution in the lake.
Earlier, the board said water quality of the lake has deteriorated for the influx of pollutants in the lake is six to eight times more than the permissible limit.
At many places the drains carrying sewerage from the Srinagar habitations have been routed either to Dal Lake or to the river Jehlumthat passes through the city.
The latest sanitation survey categorized cities and towns on parameters like complete elimination of open defecation, elimination of open scavenging, safe collection and disposal of human excreta.
"Various expert agencies were involved to assess the status of sanitation on the spot in Class I cities. Data collected and assessment made by these agencies were further analyzed by technical experts and rating was done by awarding points for various parameters. On the basis of their performance, cities have been kept in four categories that are green, blue, black and red," a government statement said.
Ironically no Indian city could qualify in the green category while only four cities figured in blue category.
The Chandigarh city a Union Territory and capital of Punjab and Haryana sates was found to be the cleanest city in India.
Churu in Rajasthan was ranked the dirtiest. The rating according to a government statement have been listed to sensitize the administration and citizens of the cities about the current state of sanitation and to raise awareness regarding their improvement.
Kashmiri capital Srinagar listed as dirty town: Indian survey
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