Chandigarh: With the municipal corporation (MC) Chandigarh initiating implementation of the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2026, as directed by the Supreme Court and the Centre, the number of bulk waste generators (BWGs) in the city has increased sharply from 19 to 164.All identified BWGs will be required to register with the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), process the waste generated on their premises and obtain Extended Bulk Waste Generator Responsibility (EBWGR) certification.MC officials said a recent physical survey identified 145 additional BWGs under the expanded criteria prescribed in the new rules. Earlier, only large waste generators were classified as BWGs. The revised norms now cover entities with a built-up area of at least 20,000 square metres or daily water consumption of 40,000 litres or more.Of the 145 newly identified BWGs, 85 qualify on the basis of water consumption, while 60 meet the built-up area criterion. Officials said the number could rise further as inspections are still under way.The implementation is being monitored by the Supreme Court monitoring committee (SCMC), which has asked Chandigarh to submit an interim compliance report by Aug 6. Short-term, medium-term and annual reports are to be filed in the second week of Nov, the second week of Jan and by April 10, respectively.“We have started implementation of the rules in letter and spirit and will submit all reports within the prescribed timeline,” an MC official said.Officials said the new rules cover multiple aspects of waste management and will be enforced in a phased manner. The MC plans to focus initially on awareness and stakeholder engagement before taking punitive action against violators.“The rules have been adopted, but implementation will be gradual. The priority is to inform and educate stakeholders about their responsibilities before enforcement measures are initiated,” an official said.BOXWhat BWGs must do under new rulesRegister online with the CPCBObtain EBWGR certificationSet up facilities for scientific processing of waste, including composting, biomethanation, RDF and material recovery systemsProcess waste on-site or sign an MoU with the MC for waste processing on payment basisComply with segregation, collection and disposal norms prescribed under the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2026Key numbersExisting BWGs: 19Newly identified BWGs: 145Total BWGs now: 164Based on water use criterion: 85Based on built-up area criterion: 60
