Bhubaneswar: Odisha is set to tighten its solid waste management framework with a renewed focus on source segregation, scientific waste processing, regulatory enforcement and the formal integration of informal waste workers.
The decisions were taken at a State-level coordination meeting on the implementation of the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2026 and related regulatory requirements, chaired by Additional Chief Secretary, Housing & Urban Development Department, Usha Padhee, in hybrid mode on Thursday.
The meeting decided to revise the existing State Policy and Strategy on Solid Waste Management and the Solid Waste Management Bye-laws to bring them in line with the 2026 Rules. The revised framework will strengthen provisions relating to segregation, collection, transportation, processing, enforcement and regulatory compliance across Urban Local Bodies (ULBs).
Focus on four-stream waste segregation
A key priority identified during the meeting was ensuring compliance with the mandatory four-stream source segregation and collection system.
Officials informed the meeting that 73 ULBs have already introduced dedicated collection compartments for sanitary and special-care waste. The remaining ULBs were directed to ensure compliance at the earliest and strengthen arrangements for the safe collection and handling of segregated waste.
The government also decided to undertake systematic enumeration, categorisation and registration of Bulk Waste Generators (BWGs) on the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) portal.
Under the proposed compliance framework, BWGs will be required to process their waste at source. Those unable to undertake on-site processing will have to obtain an Extended Bulk Waste Generators Responsibility (EBWGR) Certificate from the concerned ULB before handing over waste to the local authority.
The Additional Chief Environmental Scientist, State Pollution Control Board (SPCB), was asked to coordinate with ULBs and provide technical guidance on the registration and compliance requirements of BWGs on the CPCB portal.
Districts to strengthen enforcement
The meeting also underlined the role of District Collectors in monitoring compliance with the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2026.
District Collectors were advised to strengthen enforcement within their respective jurisdictions in accordance with the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. They were also asked to establish dedicated Special Cells to monitor compliance and take action against defaulting Bulk Waste Generators.
Virtual site inspections may also be undertaken wherever necessary, while fortnightly implementation reports will have to be submitted to the designated State Secretaries.
BMC asked to improve waste processing
For Bhubaneswar, the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) was directed to improve the utilisation of its Micro Composting Centres (MCCs) by ensuring equitable distribution of fresh waste among available facilities.
BMC was also asked to prepare a comprehensive roadmap for the scientific processing of the city’s waste and take appropriate measures to address accumulated waste at TTS, Sainik School.
Informal waste pickers to be integrated
The meeting also placed emphasis on bringing informal waste pickers into the formal waste management system.
In line with the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2026, ULBs were directed to identify and formally integrate informal waste pickers into the waste management value chain. So far, 1,906 informal waste pickers have been integrated as Swachh Karmis.
The move is aimed at recognising the contribution of informal waste workers to urban sanitation while providing them with a structured role within the formal waste management ecosystem.
Padhee directed all concerned authorities to ensure coordinated, time-bound and result-oriented implementation of the decisions taken at the meeting. She stressed the need for stronger field-level enforcement, scientific waste processing and accountable systems to build sustainable solid waste management practices across Odisha.
The meeting was attended by the Member Secretary of the SPCB, Special Secretary and Mission Director of Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban, Assistant Commissioner of BMC, senior SPCB officials and members of the Sanitation Team of the Housing & Urban Development Department.
