Chief Secretary Anu Garg chaired the inaugural meeting of the State-level Committee on implementation of the Solid Waste Management Rules-2026, which took place today at Lok Seva Bhavan’s conference hall. The Odisha State Pollution Control Board (OSPCB) called the meeting with the goal of creating a clean and healthy environment and effectively enforcing environmental protection regulations. There was a thorough discussion of the regulations’ many provisions, departmental duties, adherence to Supreme Court directives, and future plans.
The meeting was attended by top officers, secretaries from relevant departments who are committee members, and Usha Padhee, additional chief secretary of the Housing and Urban Development Department. Dr. Manoj V. Nayar, Member Secretary of the OSPCB, gave a lecture on several facets of the regulations.Solid waste collection and disposal, source segregation, scientific processing, digital monitoring systems, and stakeholder responsibility were the main topics of discussion during the meeting. The state’s urban and rural waste management conditions were examined. Strengthening urban collection, segregation, and scientific processing systems as well as making sure leftover garbage is disposed of safely were topics of discussion.
District Collectors have been instructed to guaranty solid waste management systems, integrated monitoring, and compliance in their districts following a discussion on Supreme Court directives. The establishment of special cells at the district level, finding suitable land for waste management, putting in place a sanitary landfill and waste processing system, treating existing dumpsites scientifically, and taking action against bulk waste generators to ensure strict compliance were all prioritized.
There was discussion of ways to improve trash management, such as integrating solid waste management into the curriculum and raising students’ understanding of cleanliness and environmental preservation. It was determined to start a large-scale public awareness campaign in which local residents, elected officials, businesses, educational institutions, and regular individuals would all participate. Housing and Urban Development, Panchayati Raj and Drinking Water, Rural Development, School and Mass Education departments, district administration, OSPCB, and other agencies were stressed as needing close collaboration and frequent assessment for successful implementation.
Chief Secretary Garg stated that all stakeholders, including people, businesses, and educational institutions, have a shared obligation to create a clean and healthy environment. He also asked for collaboration in order to comply with the legislation. She instructed District Collectors and all relevant departments to finish compliance-related tasks within the OSPCB’s deadline.
