The Supreme Court of India has once again highlighted the need for strict implementation of the Solid Waste Management (SWM) Rules, 2026.
Months after issuing its landmark directions on the implementation of the Solid Waste Management (SWM) Rules, 2026—a marked shift from merely interpreting environmental laws to holding institutions accountable for lapses—the Supreme Court of India has turned its attention to developing a national framework for environmental compensation and defining the role of the Central Implementation Committee (CIC). Hearing appeals against orders of the National Green Tribunal concerning environmental compliance by municipal corporations, the apex court expressed concern over the volume and complexity of biodegradable, non-biodegradable, hazardous, electronic, and construction waste, stating that infrastructure needs to be scaled up to meet the standards of the SWM rules. The court also flagged the lack of civic sense surrounding waste management and disposal and issued nationwide directions for strict implementation of the rules, asking district collectors to identify all bulk waste generators within six weeks, while directing the Centre to confer on them special powers to take punitive action against violators, including the disconnection of amenities like electricity and water. Bulk waste generators, including institutions and establishments that generate more than 100 kg of waste per day, have been directed to set up processing plants and report online compliance to the authorities. The new rules also mandate a four-way source segregation of waste—wet (organic/food), dry (recyclables), sanitary (diapers/napkins), and special care or domestic hazardous (batteries, bulbs, medicines). If effectively implemented on the ground, this slew of directives from the Supreme Court can bring much-needed change—a clean and healthy environment. But is India ready for change? Well, the biggest stumbling block to India’s cleanliness campaign has been the mindset of the people and not a lack of rules.
While state governments are primarily responsible for sanitation, the Centre launched the nationwide Swachh Bharat Mission (Clean India Mission) in 2014 to eliminate open defecation and improve solid waste management. The mission continues to this day, with the Centre providing financial assistance to states and Union Territories for solid waste management through Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban 2.0 (SBM-U 2.0) and Swachh Bharat Mission-Gramin. Yet India continues to struggle with waste management, with no visible improvement seen in the cleanliness of public spaces. After years of sustained campaigns, most people should by now be aware of the importance of keeping both private and public spaces clean, but litter-strewn streets tell a different story. It is not that the authorities are doing nothing. In fact, the blame has begun to tilt towards the public, and Dimapur is a case in point. The Dimapur Municipal Council (DMC) initiated a door-to-door garbage collection programme to improve community hygiene and sanitation, yet there has been little change. People continue to dump waste even under “No Littering” signs. Many people throw garbage from moving vehicles onto roadsides and at unauthorised locations. As a result, the authorities’ efforts often end up in relocating dumping sites—sometimes a few metres away from the original spot or onto peripheral roads—rather than addressing the core problem. This lends weight to the Supreme Court’s recent linking of the country’s waste management issue to a lack of civic sense. A multi-pronged strategy, including strict enforcement of existing rules, improved infrastructure, and proper segregation and disposal of waste, is needed to tackle the menace. Most importantly, people’s mindset towards maintaining sanitation in public spaces must change.