Ludhiana Municipal Corporation Faces Heavy Fine for Waste Management Failures
The Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) has taken strong action against the Ludhiana Municipal Corporation (MC). The board imposed a hefty environmental compensation of ₹1.54 crore. This penalty comes for the MC's failure to follow orders from the National Green Tribunal (NGT). The NGT issued these orders during a hearing on October 15, 2025.
Petitioners Demand Higher Penalty
PPCB officials submitted their detailed report to the NGT ahead of the next hearing scheduled for January 20. However, petitioners Kapil Arora and Kuldeep Khaira expressed clear dissatisfaction with the penalty amount. They stated they would demand an increase in environmental compensation at the upcoming hearing.
The case centers on unscientific dumping of solid waste at 27 specific locations across Ludhiana. The petition has been pending for two full years. It is separate from ongoing legacy waste remediation efforts, for which the PPCB is already imposing compensation.
Show-Cause Notice and MC's Defense
On December 19, 2025, the PPCB issued a formal show-cause notice to the MC commissioner. This notice cited violations of the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016. The MC was given an opportunity to present its case before the Board chairperson on December 24, 2025.
During that hearing, MC officials outlined various steps taken for solid waste management. They mentioned bioremediation of legacy waste at Jamalpur and Jaunpur sites. They also highlighted processing of fresh waste through a private firm. Other measures included installation of portable compactors, mechanical sweeping, door-to-door garbage collection, and the floating of lifting tenders.
MC officials claimed they had made substantial progress. They attributed delays to factors beyond their control. These factors included pending electricity connections and repeated extensions of tender deadlines. Officials reiterated their commitment to completing the remaining work.
Board Questions MC's Awareness and Compliance
The Board questioned MC officers directly during the hearing. They asked if the officers were aware of the petitioners' grievances and the NGT's specific directions. While officers acknowledged awareness, they failed to provide a satisfactory response regarding compliance with Solid Waste Management Rules. They also could not explain the persistent violations occurring across the city.
The petitioners had originally highlighted unscientific waste handling at 23 locations. This number later rose to 27 sites. They even reported incidents of garbage burning at some of these locations. Despite receiving multiple opportunities, the MC failed to clear the waste in accordance with the established rules.
MC's Jurisdiction Arguments Rejected
MC representatives argued that some of the problematic sites did not fall under their direct jurisdiction. They attributed responsibility to other agencies like GLADA (Greater Ludhiana Area Development Authority), Ludhiana Improvement Trust, and the rural development department.
The Board, however, firmly rejected this argument. They noted that municipal authorities are the custodians of the city. Under Section 284 of the Punjab Municipal Corporation Act, 1976, the commissioner is responsible for sanitation and public health. This section empowers the commissioner to clean any area and recover necessary expenses from property owners if required.
Calculation of the Fine and NGT Directives
Based on the facts presented, the Board ruled that environmental compensation should be levied. They set the rate at ₹1,000 per day for each violation location. For each incident of garbage burning, the penalty was set at ₹5,000. The MC may recover this imposed amount from the concerned agencies it blamed.
The NGT also issued a clear directive to the MC. They must immediately clear all solid waste dumped at the 27 garbage-vulnerable points listed in the petition. PPCB officers had inspected these specified locations on October 30, 2025. They issued notices based on the violations they observed during that inspection.
The MC commissioner holds specific responsibilities under the rules. These include providing appropriate receptacles, depots, and disposal sites for waste. The commissioner must ensure dustbins are available for temporary storage. They must also arrange for covered vehicles for proper waste removal from the city.
