The Punjab government has informed the National Green Tribunal (NGT) that a dozen of its urban local bodies (ULBs) are currently facing a significant gap between the generation and processing of solid waste. This disclosure came in a supplementary compliance report filed by the state ahead of a crucial hearing.
State Seeks Three-Month Window to Address Shortfall
In an affidavit submitted to the NGT on December 15, 2025, Punjab Chief Secretary KAP Sinha requested a three-month period to address this pressing environmental issue and to submit a detailed action plan. The report emphasized that the state accords the highest priority to solid waste management (SWM), though it did not specify the names of the 12 lagging ULBs or quantify the exact difference in waste volumes.
Root of the Problem: From 39 ULBs to 12
The current situation follows an earlier review. After the chief secretary's compliance report on October 23, 2025, the NGT identified discrepancies in waste handling. The state then conducted a thorough review with all 132 ULBs that had previously reported complete legacy waste remediation.
A third-party team from the Punjab Ex-Servicemen Corporation (PESCO) observed accumulated unprocessed waste in 39 ULBs. This backlog was attributed to several operational challenges:
- Strikes by sanitation workers
- Frequent electricity outages
- Machinery breakdowns and subsequent repairs
- Adverse weather conditions
The ULBs did not classify this recent accumulation as "legacy waste," which traditionally refers to old, unsegregated waste lying in dumpsites for years. Swift action has since been taken in 27 of these 39 ULBs, where deploying extra machinery and manpower has eliminated the processing gap. The focus now is on the remaining 12 urban bodies where processing is actively underway.
Administrative Push for Swift Compliance
The state government has initiated a series of measures to ensure strict adherence to the Municipal Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016. According to affidavits from the chief secretary and the special secretary of the local government department, clear directions have been issued to municipal commissioners and additional deputy commissioners.
High-level review meetings were convened on November 12, December 5, and December 11, 2025, involving key officials. The goal of these meetings and subsequent written orders is to expedite waste management processes and achieve a state of zero gap between waste generation and processing across Punjab.
The NGT is monitoring the state's progress closely, and the Punjab administration has committed to resolving the issue in the twelve outstanding ULBs within the requested three-month timeframe.
