Read Time: 05 minutes

Synopsis

While passing a slew of directions regarding the implementation of the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016, the Supreme Court of India on Thursday, April 24, directed the States of Haryana, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, and Delhi to designate senior-ranking nodal officers to supervise compliance activities aimed at achieving 100% segregation of solid waste.

A bench of Justices Abhay S Oka and Ujjal Bhuyan noted that these nodal officers would supervise the process of solid waste collection and also directed all NCR states to set an outer time limit for achieving 100% solid waste collection.

"The nodal officers shall ensure compliance with segregation norms and file regular compliance reports, starting from 1 September 2025. As and when the compliance reports are filed, the Registrar (Judicial) shall ensure that the same are placed before this Court," the court ordered.

Observing that the objectives of the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016, cannot be achieved without strict compliance, the Court said that for effective implementation, penalties must be enforced in cases of non-compliance.

Furthermore, the Court directed all NCR states to undertake strict compliance with the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016. It added that awareness campaigns and publicity must be undertaken to inform citizens about the grievance redressal mechanisms, which they may use to lodge complaints in cases of non-compliance with the rules.

Accordingly, the Court directed the NCR states and the MCD to report compliance with the above-mentioned directives, while also adding that they are required to submit data before this Court regarding the penalties imposed.

Taking note of the larger issue of solid waste management, the court noted that it was already dealing with matters that arise due to large-scale construction activities being undertaken by various development authorities across the NCR.

"Therefore, all NCR states must make a realistic assessment of the expected generation of municipal solid waste over the next 25 years, so that all concerned authorities in the states are equipped to handle the issue of ever-increasing solid waste in urban areas. We direct all State Governments to file affidavits detailing the steps taken in this regard on or before 1 September 2025. All such affidavits shall be filed by the designated nodal officers, who shall also provide a copy to the learned Amicus Curiae," the court directed

Case Title: M.C Mehta v Union of India