The Municipal Corporation in Chandigarh has invited suggestions and observations on its Solid Waste Management-2026 bylaws from residents and stakeholders, with a 15-day window for submissions. The move follows approval of a draft in the General House and Supreme Court directions requiring the corporation to notify bylaws aligned with the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2026. Once implemented, the bylaws will mark one of the most significant reforms in the city’s waste management framework in recent years. On 31 July the House rejected a proposed hike in user charges while approving increased penalties. The draft raises penalties for various violations, with fines of up to Rs 0.15 million (mn) for bulk waste generators and resident welfare associations. A final draft will be prepared after public feedback to the current proposals. Debate in the House reflected councillors’ concerns about multiple issues in garbage disposal, including the mess created by street vendors. A central feature of the proposed bylaws is mandatory segregation of waste at source. Every waste generator will be required to separate waste into four streams — wet or biodegradable waste, dry or recyclable waste, domestic hazardous waste and sanitary waste — before handing it to authorised collectors. Bulk waste generators must segregate horticulture and construction waste separately and process biodegradable waste on-site where required. The bylaws prescribe colour-coded bins and prohibit mixing of segregated waste during collection or transportation. The proposals strengthen enforcement by empowering the Municipal Corporation to levy user charges, environmental compensation and penalties for offences such as littering, open burning, illegal dumping, failure to segregate, non-registration and unauthorised transportation. Street vendors will be obliged to keep containers for storage of garbage and to deposit waste at notified depots, containers or collection vehicles. Barber shops, beauty salons and similar establishments must collect and store hair and other biodegradable grooming waste separately in covered containers and hand over hazardous items such as used blades to authorised collectors or designated processing facilities. Bulk waste generators including residential complexes, institutions, hotels, hospitals and commercial establishments will need to register with the Municipal Corporation, establish segregation systems, ensure scientific processing of biodegradable waste, maintain records and comply with extended bulk waste generator responsibility norms while paying user charges where applicable. The corporation will issue responsibility certificates and monitor compliance, and compulsory registration is proposed for commercial establishments, scrap dealers and waste traders with obligations to maintain hygienic premises, prevent littering and allow inspections. The bylaws also place duties on individuals, require event organisers to arrange waste collection and post-event cleaning, and bring textile waste generators into the regulated framework for separate collection and authorised disposal.