The Municipal Corporation (MC) of Chandigarh has taken a decisive step towards cleaner urban management by making the segregation of household and commercial waste compulsory across the city. In a significant move announced on Monday, December 23, 2025, the civic body declared that mixed garbage will no longer be accepted, with violators facing substantial financial penalties.
Strict Directives and Hefty Penalties Announced
Municipal Commissioner Amit Kumar issued clear and categorical instructions, directing the Medical Officer of Health and all sanitation staff involved in the door-to-door collection system to lift only segregated waste. The commissioner explicitly stated that non-segregated waste will be left behind, and those responsible will be penalized under the relevant provisions of the Municipal Corporation Act.
The penalty structure is designed to deter non-compliance effectively. Households and commercial establishments found handing over mixed garbage will face fines ranging from Rs 500 to a steep Rs 13,500 per violation. This move underscores the administration's serious intent to tackle the city's waste management challenges at their source.
Enforcement Mechanism and Monitoring
To ensure the policy translates into action on the ground, Commissioner Kumar has established a robust monitoring system. Drivers of the door-to-door waste collection vehicles have been instructed to maintain a daily register. This log will meticulously document details of all households and commercial units that fail to provide segregated waste.
An MC official confirmed that this data will be the basis for follow-up action, including the issuance of formal challans (fines). Furthermore, the administration plans to conduct random inspections at various levels to monitor compliance independently. The commissioner also issued a stern warning to municipal employees, stating that disciplinary action would be taken against any staff member found ignoring these instructions or facilitating violations by citizens.
A Dual Strategy: Awareness and Enforcement
Recognizing that lasting change requires public cooperation, the Municipal Corporation is adopting a two-pronged approach. Commissioner Kumar highlighted that alongside strict enforcement, the civic body will intensify its IEC (Information, Education, and Communication) activities. The goal is to educate and sensitize citizens about the critical importance of segregating wet and dry waste at the source itself.
However, the awareness drive will be firmly backed by mandatory challaning. The administration believes that this combination is essential to drive the necessary behavioral change among residents, shopkeepers, and institutions. The MC has made a fervent appeal for public cooperation, stressing that it is indispensable for achieving a cleaner, healthier, and more sustainable urban environment for Chandigarh.
The success of this initiative now hinges on how swiftly citizens adapt to the new mandate and integrate waste segregation into their daily routines, avoiding the newly instituted financial disincentives.
