In a significant move to tackle the persistent issue of solid waste management in the National Capital Region (NCR), the Supreme Court of India, on Thursday, issued a directive to the governments of Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh. The Court has ordered these states to appoint senior officials to oversee and ensure 100% collection and segregation of solid waste across their respective territories.
A bench comprising Justices Abhay S Oka and Ujjal Bhuyan highlighted the need for these states to conduct a realistic assessment of the waste generated and set a definitive timeline to achieve these targets. “The nodal officers dealing with both the issues shall file regular compliance reports starting from September 1, 2025, followed by quarterly updates,” the justices mandated.
Emphasizing the importance of public awareness, the Court also instructed the states and the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) to initiate extensive campaigns to educate the public about the Solid Waste Management (SWM) Rules, 2016. “Unless proper publicity is given to the provisions of SWM Rules and penalties are enforced for non-compliance, effective implementation remains elusive,” the bench stated.
Further directives were issued regarding violations at construction and demolition sites, notorious for contributing to dust pollution. The Court has asked the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) to consolidate action taken reports from relevant authorities by the end of July 2025 and to submit a detailed affidavit by September 1, 2025.
The Supreme Court’s stern approach also revisited previous mandates to the MCD for launching significant awareness drives targeting bulk waste generators in Delhi. These entities are primarily responsible for the substantial daily waste output. The court stressed the crucial role of these drives in educating stakeholders about their duties, including the mandatory segregation of waste into biodegradable, non-biodegradable, and hazardous categories.
The ruling underscored the “vital importance” of segregating waste at the source for environmental sustainability and demanded rigorous compliance with the SWM Rules from all urban local bodies within the NCR. This directive is part of a broader effort to address the overarching air pollution issues plaguing the region, linked closely to ineffective waste management practices.
