Himachal High Court Pushes for Stronger Waste Management, Seeks Accountability
The Himachal Pradesh High Court has raised serious concerns over gaps in solid waste management across the state, directing authorities to provide detailed reports on how funds are being used and whether waste is being properly processed.
A Division Bench of Chief Justice Gurmeet Singh Sandhawalia and Justice Bipin Chander Negi issued the orders while hearing a public interest litigation. The court flagged several issues, including a ₹10-crore shortfall in garbage user charge collection, and asked Urban Local Bodies to recover dues from defaulters and rationalise charges.
Authorities have also been asked to clarify whether ₹111 crore under the 15th Finance Commission has been released and how it has been spent. With nearly 77,000 metric tonnes of unprocessed waste lying at Kenduwal and legacy waste piling up at Baddi, the court demanded a time-bound action plan, regular progress reports, and measures like fencing, CCTV monitoring, and proper segregation of waste.
The Bench noted progress on cluster-based biogas plants in Solan and Una, and welcomed the digitisation of nearly two lakh garbage IDs to improve compliance. Applying the ‘Polluter Pays’ principle, it ordered strict action against bottling units accused of dumping waste near Nahan.
The court also highlighted the importance of rural waste management, pointing to new bye-laws under the Panchayati Raj Act that mandate user charges and decentralised systems. District Legal Services Authorities have been tasked with identifying garbage hotspots and ensuring scientific remediation.
Fresh status reports have been sought from Nagar Panchayat Karsog and MC Nerchowk, where compliance was found lacking. The court further stressed enforcement of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) obligations and the newly introduced Deposit Refund Scheme, 2025.
The matter will be taken up again on May 14, with the court making it clear that accountability and timely action are essential to tackle Himachal’s growing waste crisis.
