GUWAHATI: Assam has stepped up enforcement of waste management rules across the State, with the Chief Secretary directing district administrations to tighten implementation of scientific solid waste disposal systems and improve monitoring on the ground.
In a video conference with all District Commissioners and concerned departments on Tuesday, May 19, Assam Chief Secretary Ravi Kota reviewed progress on the Solid Waste Management (SWM) Rules, 2026 and asked officials to ensure strict compliance with provisions of the rules as well as directions of the Supreme Court on environmental safeguards.
He called for stronger systems of waste segregation at source, improved door-to-door collection, expansion of decentralised waste processing facilities and scientific remediation of legacy dump sites across districts.
District administrations were instructed to identify and notify Bulk Waste Generators such as markets, hospitals, educational institutions, industries, government establishments, tea gardens and other large institutions to ensure proper monitoring and compliance.
The Chief Secretary also reviewed the functioning of district-level Special Cells set up to monitor implementation and directed regular reporting and stronger enforcement mechanisms to track progress.
He further stressed coordinated action between Urban Local Bodies, Panchayati Raj Institutions and district administrations, and asked districts to focus waste management efforts in high-footfall areas such as tourist destinations and pilgrim centres. Awareness campaigns, accountability systems and grievance redressal mechanisms were also highlighted as key priorities to ensure long-term, scientific waste management across Assam.