Supreme Court Expresses Concern Over Failure to Implement Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016 in NCR States, next hearing December 16

While hearing the MC Mehta case relating to pollution management in Delhi on November 11, 2024, the Supreme Court (SC) bench of Justice Abhay S Oka and Justice Augustine George Masih expressed concern over a complete failure to implement the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016 in the NCR States. The bench directed the Chief Secretary of the Delhi Government to organize a meeting of all relevant stakeholders to discuss implementing the 2016 rules, further directing the stakeholders to file a joint report by December 13, 2024. It also authorized the chief Secretary to approach the top court if any stakeholder failed to cooperate and permitted him to summon officers, if necessary, from the Union Government. The SC also warned the Delhi Government that it may have to pass a harsh order if it fails to implement the 2016 rules. After hearing the matter, the top court listed the matter for hearing on December 16, 2024.

During the proceedings, the SC bench observed, “It is a matter of immense importance that 2016 Rules (highlighting issues such as waste from construction, unchecked waste accumulation at landfill sites, and risk of fires at waste storage areas) are implemented in its true letter and spirit in the capital city. As we are noticing in other cases, the 2016 Rules have remained on paper. In the territory of the Government of Delhi if there's a complete failure to implement the 2016 Rules one can imagine what must be happening in other cities in other parts of the country. If we find that all the authorities do not come together and tell us that time-bound schedule for implementation of the 2016 Rules the court may have to consider passing harsh order.” It also pointed out, “On one hand there is no implementation of 2016 Rules as a result of which the garbage is being stored in landfill sides which are prone to fires and on the other hand there is a large number of construction activities going on in the state which obviously adds to the generation of solid waste and construction waste as well.”