Guwahati:In a major step to address Assam's growing waste management crisis, Chief Secretary Ravi Kota on Saturday directed strict and time-bound implementation of the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2026, in line with orders issued by the Supreme Court of India .
Emphasising the urgency of the situation, the state government has instructed all Urban and Rural Local Bodies to ensure full compliance within 60 days. Officials described the move as critical to curb further environmental damage, noting that the state's rising waste burden,particularly unmanaged legacy dumps and poor segregation practices has reached an alarming level.
District Commissioners have been assigned to carry out immediate infrastructure audits and conduct quarterly performance reviews.
Co-District Commissioners will oversee ground-level inspections to address gaps between rural and urban waste management systems.
Authorities have also been directed to implement four-stream waste segregation without delay and accelerate the clean-up of legacy waste sites that continue to pose serious environmental and public health risks.
To strengthen accountability, nodal officers will be appointed at block and ward levels within 30 days. These officers will be required to submit monthly reports supported by geo-tagged evidence.
Bulk Waste Generators must register and adhere to strict disposal norms, failing which action will be taken.
Various departments have been mobilised to act on priority,including awareness campaigns and school-level education initiatives.The Assam Pollution Control Board will intensify monitoring and impose environmental penalties where necessary.
With digital monitoring systems,grievance redressal platforms, and a three-tier enforcement mechanism in place,the government has made it clear that delays will not be tolerated.
Stressing the need for immediate action, the Chief Secretary set a three-month outer deadline to fully comply with Supreme Court directives and prevent the crisis from worsening.