Segregation of waste now mandatory in Chandigarh, mixed garbage to invite up to Rs 13,500 penalty

The MC Commissioner categorically stated that non-segregated waste will no longer be collected and violators will be penalised under provisions of the Municipal Corporation Act.

To ensure strict enforcement on the ground, the Commissioner has directed drivers of door-to-door waste collection vehicles to maintain a daily register documenting details of households and commercial establishments that fail to provide segregated waste. This data will be used for follow-up action, including the issuance of challans, an MC official said.

The official added that random inspections will be conducted by officers at various levels to monitor compliance.

The Commissioner also warned that disciplinary action would be taken against any municipal employee found ignoring the instructions or facilitating violations.

Highlighting a dual strategy of awareness and enforcement, Kumar said the civic body would intensify IEC (information, education and communication) activities to educate citizens about the importance of segregating waste at source. At the same time, mandatory challaning will be strictly implemented to ensure behavioural change.

The Municipal Corporation has urged residents, shopkeepers and institutions to segregate wet and dry waste at the source, stressing that public cooperation is critical to achieving a cleaner and healthier urban environment.