Regional and Urban Development Agency - RUDA

26/10/2025

To mark World Mental Health Day 2025, a Walkathon for Wellness “Together for Mental Health” was organized by Regional and Urban Development Agency (RUDA) in collaboration with eminent mental health professionals, academic institutions, NGOs, and community stakeholders. The event aimed to raise awareness about mental health, eliminate social stigma, and encourage open dialogue on emotional well-being.

The walkathon was flagged off by Dr. Manu Arora, Head of the Department of Psychiatry, GMC, Jammu from MA Stadium, Jammu. Among other dignitaries present were Dr. Rakesh Banal, President J&K Psychiatric Society, Dr. Shabnum Rivees, Clinical Psychologist and other faculty members of the Psychiatry Department.
Students, doctors, healthcare workers, and members of the public participated enthusiastically, carrying placards with messages of hope, resilience, and compassion, emphasizing that mental health is everyone’s responsibility.

The Walkathon also highlighted the importance of healthy lifestyle choices and reinforced the powerful message to “Say No to Drugs”, underlining the close connection between substance abuse and mental health challenges.
The walkathon concluded at Bahu Plaza, Jammu with a poetry competition themed “Voices for Mental Health”. The event aimed to encourage creative expression and to spread awareness about mental well-being through art and literature. A large number of students and participants showcased their poetic talent, highlighting issues such as stress, depression, hope, resilience, and self-care. The winners of the competition were felicitated during the event
Mr Sanjeev Arora, CEO of Regional and Urban Development Agency at the end thanked everyone for overwhelmed participation from medical fraternity, NGOs, civil society and students and emphasised that this event aimed to raise awareness about mental health, eliminate social stigma, and encourage open dialogue on emotional well-being.
Such initiatives play a crucial role in creating inclusive, supportive communities, where individuals feel empowered to seek help and talk openly about their mental health without fear or judgment.

25/10/2025

Join us tomorrow at MA Stadium for the walkathon on mental health!!

06/09/2025

RUDA in collaboration with Agrocel Foundation and SBM Bhuj has established Material Recovery Facility(MRF) at Bhuj in Kachchh district of Gujarat to promote sustainable Plastic Waste Management and recycling.

The facility was inaugurated by Ms. Rita Teaotia, IAS (Retd.), former Union Commerce Secretary, Government of India. She appreciated the efforts of RUDA Foundation in promoting environmental protection and commended its contribution towards steering Kachchh on the path of a circular economy.

This facility will serve as a hub for the collection, segregation, and processing of dry waste, particularly plastics, thereby reducing the burden on landfills and minimizing environmental pollution. By creating an efficient value chain, the MRF not only supports circular economy principles but also generates livelihood opportunities for local communities.

Many thanks to management of Agrocel Foundation and SBM Bhuj for their kind support.

16/07/2025

30/05/2025

RUDA and Jammu pollution control committee organised week long IEC campaign in different wards of Jammu and Katra ( base town of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine). Many thanks to Centre for Environment Education and HDFC Bank for their valuable support!

23/01/2025

DC Jammu inspects Material Recovery Facility at Kunjwani

: Deputy Commissioner Jammu, Avny Lavasa today visited Material Recovery Facility (MRF) at Bandhurakh Kunjwani (MRF) being run by Regional and Urban Development Agency in collaboration with Jammu Municipal Corporation.

Assistant Commissioner Development Preeti Sharma along with BDOs and DPOs accompanied the Deputy Commissioner during the tour.

The visit was conducted to give firsthand experience to the officials about a sustainable approach for integrated plastic waste management and efficient recycling.

The Participants were given a live demonstration by Sanjeev Arora, CEO, RUDA about collection, segregation and recycling of plastic and dry waste and also explained to them systematic approach being followed to address better social security measures, job creation and impact livelihoods for the informal sector engagement.

All the visiting officers were directed by the Deputy Commissioner Jammu to replicate a similar model in their blocks and jurisdictions, although at a smaller scale, so that objectives of Swacch Bharat Mission (Gramin) are achieved in a time bound manner.

Later, Deputy Commissioner also reviewed the functioning of the Revenue Department besides various revenue related matters in the district here at a meeting held in the DC Office Complex.

Additional Deputy Commissioner (L O) Harvinder Singh; Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADM), Sandeep Seonetra; ACR, Piyush Dhotra; SDMs, Tehsildars along with senior officers from Revenue department were present in the meeting.

22/01/2025

The students of Delhi Public School, Jammu today visited the Material Recovery Facility, Bandhurakh Jammu being run by Regional and Urban Development Agency and Centre for Environment Education along with team of Jammu Municipal Corporation led by Dr Divya from JMC, to have first hand experience about sustainable Plastic Waste management and Recycling.

The students gained valuable insights into the various processes of waste management like collection, segregation and recycling. They also learnt about various types of types of plastics like PET, LDPE, HDPE, PVC, PP, PS and the intricate processes involved in their recycling. They also learned the critical importance of waste management in everyday life, especially since plastics, though indispensable in modern living, pose significant challenges to environment and human health.

A key takeaway from the visit was that effective waste management starts at home, and the students became more conscious of their social responsibility in contributing to a cleaner, greener environment.

17/12/2024

𝐏𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐒𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐏𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐉𝐚𝐦𝐦𝐮: 𝐅𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭-𝐄𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐩 𝐨𝐧 𝐒𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐝 𝐖𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞 𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭

A two-day workshop titled ‘Integrated Waste Management Sustainability & Partnerships (Waste to Wealth)’ was organized by Regional and Urban Development Agency and Centre for Environment Education (CEE) in partnership with HDFC Bank and Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC) on December 13-14, 2024, in Jammu.

The workshop was inaugurated by 𝐌𝐬. 𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐞𝐩 𝐊𝐚𝐮𝐫, IAS, Commissioner Secretary, Housing & Urban Department, J&K, in the presence of 𝐒𝐡. 𝐕𝐚𝐬𝐮 𝐘𝐚𝐝𝐚𝐯, IFS, Chairman, State Pollution Control Committee, 𝐃𝐫. 𝐃𝐞𝐯𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐡 𝐘𝐚𝐝𝐚𝐯, IAS, Commissioner, JMC, 𝐌𝐬 𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐚 𝐒𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐧 JKAS Director ULB Jammu and 𝐒𝐡. 𝐀𝐛𝐝𝐮𝐥 𝐒𝐚𝐭𝐚𝐫, JKAS, Joint Commissioner, JMC along with senior government officials and executive officers from across Jammu & Kashmir. Renowned experts, policymakers, and stakeholders from across the country, including executive officers from various Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) in J&K came together to discuss sustainable waste management strategies and explore innovative solutions for transforming waste into wealth.

With the theme "𝐒𝐲𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐦 𝐀𝐩𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐚𝐜𝐡," the workshop focused on exploring and sharing integrated sustainable approaches to plastic waste management. It highlighted case studies and proven practices from across India, offering valuable insights into effective supply chain management, including collection, segregation, processing, and disposal mechanisms. The workshop emphasized community engagement and showcased how multi-stakeholder collaborations can lead to impactful outcomes. It also aimed to provide participants with a better understanding of operational and management challenges and solutions for different waste management streams.

Special thanks to Mr. Prabhjot Sodhi MBE, Senior Program Director, Circular Economy, CEE, who presented an innovative business model integrating Material Recovery Facilities (MRFs) and Material Recycling Centres (MRCs) implemented under the HDFC Bank-CEE project. The model aims to maximize waste recovery and recycling, contributing to a circular economy.

Various organizations, including E-CONSCIOUS SOLUTIONS LLC, Chiripal Poly Films Limited, PadCare, CEE set up their kiosks (stalls) at the event that showcased innovative waste-to-wealth products and Information, Education & Communication (IEC) materials that promote sustainability. The event demonstrated the potential for innovation and collaboration to address pressing waste management challenges. The workshop provided a platform for meaningful discussions, knowledge exchange, and the promotion of sustainable waste management practices in Jammu & Kashmir.