New Delhi: In a landmark ruling on environmental protection, the Supreme Court has directed strict enforcement of the Solid Waste Management Rules across India, warning that malls, hotels, hospitals, commercial complexes and large residential societies could face temporary disconnection of electricity and water if they fail to manage their waste responsibly.
A bench of Justices SVN Bhatti and NV Anjaria said solid waste management is the responsibility of every citizen and institution, not merely sanitation workers. The court observed that every waste generator must segregate waste at source, store it safely and hand it over for disposal in the manner prescribed under the law.
The directions came while hearing appeals arising from National Green Tribunal orders on municipal solid waste compliance. Although the case originated from a challenge by the Bhopal Municipal Corporation, the Supreme Court expanded its scope to address waste management failures across the country.
The court ordered District Collectors, through the Chief Secretaries of all states and Union Territories, to identify bulk waste generators within six weeks. These establishments must be notified to comply with the Solid Waste Management Rules, failing which authorities can temporarily disconnect their electricity or water supply. Utility services will only be restored after the submission of a compliance certificate.
Highlighting the need for accountability, the bench remarked that society has developed a mindset of generating waste without taking responsibility for controlling its environmental impact. It stressed that effective waste management begins at the source through segregation and responsible disposal.
The Supreme Court also directed the use of digital monitoring to improve compliance. Geo tagged photographs of garbage dumps and monthly compliance reports will be uploaded through a dedicated portal, while the Supreme Court Monitoring Committee will oversee implementation by municipal bodies, Railways, Defence establishments, public sector undertakings and central ministries. The committee will also track pollution in rivers caused by municipal solid waste.
In a long term measure, the court ordered schools and colleges to introduce both theoretical and practical education on solid waste management. Teachers will receive specialised training, and students will be encouraged to spread awareness and adopt responsible waste practices in their own homes.
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