Guwahati, May 2, 2026: The Government of Assam’s Environment, Forest and Climate Change Department has issued a detailed notification directing the effective implementation of the Solid Waste Management (SWM) Rules, 2026 across the state, in compliance with the orders of the Supreme Court and provisions of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
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Under the notification, District Commissioners (DCs) have been authorized to conduct infrastructure audits of solid waste management facilities within their jurisdictions and to undertake quarterly performance reviews of Urban and Rural Local Bodies. The government has also empowered Co-District Commissioners to carry out inspections and ensure better convergence of sanitation landfills, waste processing plants and other waste management infrastructure in both urban and rural areas.
The government has directed all Urban and Rural Local Bodies to ensure 100 percent compliance with the SWM Rules, including the mandatory segregation of waste into four streams - wet, dry, sanitary, and special care waste. Local bodies must notify an outer timeline for achieving full compliance within 60 days and prepare time-bound action plans for the remediation of legacy waste dump sites.
To strengthen monitoring and implementation, Nodal Officers will be designated at block and ward levels within 30 days. The Block Development Officer (BDO) will serve as the nodal officer at the block level, while ward-level officers - not below the rank of Junior Engineer - will oversee implementation in urban areas.
The notification mandates monthly reporting with geo-tagged photographic evidence on waste segregation and compliance with Extended Bulk Waste Generator Responsibility (EBWGR) provisions. Bulk Waste Generators will also be required to register on the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) portal, and ensure proper on-site wet waste processing or obtain certification for off-site treatment.
Various state departments have also been assigned specific responsibilities. The Department of Housing and Urban Affairs and the Panchayat and Rural Development Department will prepare and implement solid waste action plans and conduct information and awareness campaigns. The Department of Education has been tasked with integrating solid waste management topics into school curricula and promoting student awareness programmes.
Meanwhile, the Assam Pollution Control Board (APCB) will assist in monitoring compliance, translating key provisions of the rules for stakeholders, and enforcing environmental compensation mechanisms where violations occur.
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The government has also directed local bodies to establish online grievance redressal systems, with digital and real-time monitoring integrated into centralized platforms linked to the CPCB portal.
A multi-tier enforcement framework has been introduced, providing for monitoring at state, district and block or ward levels. The system will include penalties, prosecution where necessary, and accountability of officials to ensure strict compliance.
All concerned departments have been instructed to take immediate interim measures and align their actions with the directions of the Supreme Court within three months, under the supervision of a State Level Committee tasked with overseeing the implementation of the Solid Waste Management Rules across Assam.
