Recently, the Andhra Pradesh High Court has issued a series of strong directions to ensure strict implementation of the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016 across the State, observing that non-compliance by district authorities has led to rampant dumping of garbage along roads and in villages.
The Bench of Chief Justice Dhiraj Singh Thakur and Justice Challa Gunaranjan, while hearing a batch of Public Interest Litigations (PILs), noted that the issue of solid waste management was not limited to a few districts but had “statewide relevance”. The Court emphasised that effective implementation of the 2016 Rules required coordinated efforts between multiple departments, including Panchayat Raj, Rural Development, Municipal Administration, and the Revenue Department.
According to the scheme of the Rules, the State Government is required to formulate a comprehensive solid waste management policy and strategy in consultation with stakeholders, while local authorities and panchayats must prepare their respective solid waste management plans in line with the State policy. Although the State informed the court that such a policy was already in place, the Bench sought details regarding compliance with Rule 12, which mandates the District Magistrates/Collectors to identify and allocate suitable land for setting up solid waste processing and disposal facilities within one year of the notification of the Rules.
Taking note of submissions made by Amicus Curiae Tagore Yadav Yaragorla and Thandava Yogesh, the Court expressed concern that failure to identify and allocate such lands had resulted in uncontrolled dumping of solid waste in public spaces. The Bench directed the Commissioner, Panchayat Raj and Rural Development and the Municipal Administration Department to ensure full compliance with Rule 11(f) and Rule 12, and to furnish detailed reports specifying the land identified and allocated for waste processing and disposal facilities. The process must be completed within two months, the Court ordered.
The Court also allowed the inclusion of the Swachha Andhra Corporation, which is responsible for implementing the Solid Waste Management Rules, as a party respondent in the case. The Bench further directed authorities to refer to the Swachh Bharat Mission guidelines for determining the extent of land required for setting up such facilities based on population size.
In addition, the Court highlighted the importance of identifying land for landfill sites, in accordance with Rule 15(w), which obligates local authorities to establish and maintain landfills and associated infrastructure for the disposal of residual waste. The Bench cautioned that failure to develop proper landfill sites would result in waste processing facilities turning into unregulated dumping grounds.
Directing close coordination between the Revenue Department, Panchayat Raj, and Municipal Administration Departments, the Court instructed the Secretary of Revenue to play an active role in identifying and notifying appropriate lands for solid waste treatment and disposal facilities.
The Chief Secretary of Andhra Pradesh has been directed to personally monitor the implementation of the Court’s order and ensure inter-departmental coordination. The matter will next be heard on December 31, 2025, when the State is required to submit a detailed compliance report to the Court.
Case Title: Nadiminti Surya Prabhakaram and others Vs. the State of Andhra Pradesh and others
Case No.: W.P.(PIL).No.53 of 2025
Coram: Hon’ble Mr Chief Justice Dhiraj Singh Thakur and Hon’ble Mr Justice Challa Gunaranjan
Counsel for the Petitioner: Adv. Bokka Satyanarayana Kamla and Adv. Thandava Yogesh
Counsel for the Respondent: Special Government Pleader, learned G.P. for General Administration S. Pranathi, Standing Counsel for Municipalities Sireesha Rani Vallabhaneni, Standing Counsel for A.P. Pollution Control Board Yelisetti Somaraju, Amicus Curiae Tagore Yadav Yaragorla,
Read Judgment @Latestlaws.com
Picture Source :
