Kerala amends the Municipal Act to implement waste guidelines
WATER & WASTE

Kerala amends the Municipal Act to implement waste guidelines

The Kerala government is prepared to alter the 1994 Kerala Municipal Act with strict requirements to ensure the 2016 Solid Waste Management Rules are implemented. Currently, the Act's provision on health includes a subsection devoted to solid waste management. It is intended to include subsections for rules for enforcement and penalty provisions that correspond with the 2016 regulations in a specific clause for solid waste management.

Officials claim that the local self-government agency has virtually finished drafting the amendment, which will be brought before the state legislature in a few weeks. The government was recently harshly criticized by the National Green Tribunal (NGT) in a case involving the violation of regulations governing solid waste management. The NGT also expressed disappointment that the government had not taken action to close the growing gap between the treatment of solid and liquid waste.

"The Kerala Municipal Act came into effect in 1994 and we need to bring in an amendment in the Act to ensure effective implementation of the rules. The concept of waste is not well defined in the KMA and our aim is to introduce a new chapter in the Act," said an official of the LSGD.

A study presented by the state government to the NGT revealed that Kerala produces over 3,472 tonnes of solid waste each day, of which 781 tonnes are not treated in accordance with regulations. "There are separate stringent rules for disposing of various categories of waste—solid, plastic, liquid, medical waste, hazardous, construction and demolition, and electronics. The new amendment will detail all these components," said an official.

The proposed amendment will also include steps to reduce public opposition to trash management. "Land acquisition for setting up facilities for waste management often faces public resistance and protest. "To resolve this, we are considering adding a clause which offers relaxation in property tax, employment opportunities, and infrastructure development to the affected parties," said an official.

Furthermore, LSGD intends to include separate sections for waste segregation at the source, an effective method for user fee collection, and simplified procedures for putting in new waste management regulations for effective enforcement. "Due to the time-consuming procedures, municipal administrations are struggling to implement new bylaws." "The new amendment will include elements that will allow bylaws to be drafted and enacted right away," the official stated.

The revision is required for the implementation of the Rs 2,300-crore Kerala Solid Waste Management Project (KSWMP), which is co-financed by the World Bank and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB).

See also:
Tiruchy civic body may privatise solid waste management
Tamil Nadu Govt to form separate solid waste management organization


The Kerala government is prepared to alter the 1994 Kerala Municipal Act with strict requirements to ensure the 2016 Solid Waste Management Rules are implemented. Currently, the Act's provision on health includes a subsection devoted to solid waste management. It is intended to include subsections for rules for enforcement and penalty provisions that correspond with the 2016 regulations in a specific clause for solid waste management. Officials claim that the local self-government agency has virtually finished drafting the amendment, which will be brought before the state legislature in a few weeks. The government was recently harshly criticized by the National Green Tribunal (NGT) in a case involving the violation of regulations governing solid waste management. The NGT also expressed disappointment that the government had not taken action to close the growing gap between the treatment of solid and liquid waste. The Kerala Municipal Act came into effect in 1994 and we need to bring in an amendment in the Act to ensure effective implementation of the rules. The concept of waste is not well defined in the KMA and our aim is to introduce a new chapter in the Act, said an official of the LSGD. A study presented by the state government to the NGT revealed that Kerala produces over 3,472 tonnes of solid waste each day, of which 781 tonnes are not treated in accordance with regulations. There are separate stringent rules for disposing of various categories of waste—solid, plastic, liquid, medical waste, hazardous, construction and demolition, and electronics. The new amendment will detail all these components, said an official. The proposed amendment will also include steps to reduce public opposition to trash management. Land acquisition for setting up facilities for waste management often faces public resistance and protest. To resolve this, we are considering adding a clause which offers relaxation in property tax, employment opportunities, and infrastructure development to the affected parties, said an official. Furthermore, LSGD intends to include separate sections for waste segregation at the source, an effective method for user fee collection, and simplified procedures for putting in new waste management regulations for effective enforcement. Due to the time-consuming procedures, municipal administrations are struggling to implement new bylaws. The new amendment will include elements that will allow bylaws to be drafted and enacted right away, the official stated. The revision is required for the implementation of the Rs 2,300-crore Kerala Solid Waste Management Project (KSWMP), which is co-financed by the World Bank and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB). See also: Tiruchy civic body may privatise solid waste managementTamil Nadu Govt to form separate solid waste management organization

Next Story
Infrastructure Transport

JNPA Becomes First Indian Port to Cross 10 Million TEU Capacity

The Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA), located at Uran in Navi Mumbai, has become the first port in India to achieve over 10 million TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units) in container handling capacity.With the recent expansion, the port now operates five container terminals with a combined capacity of 10.4 million TEUs, alongside two liquid and two general cargo terminals.Handling more than half of India’s container traffic, JNPA processed 7.05 million TEUs in 2024 and has moved 15.39 million tonnes of containers and 16.64 million tonnes of total cargo in the first two months of FY 2025â..

Next Story
Infrastructure Transport

Nod for Rs. 36.26 billion Expansion of Pune Metro Line 2

The Union Cabinet has approved the Rs.36.26 billion expansion of Pune Metro Line 2, adding 12.75 km of track and 13 new stations to improve east–west connectivity across the city.The project aims to link Pune’s urban core with rapidly growing suburbs, supporting the city’s rising demand for efficient and sustainable transport solutions. This expansion is part of Corridor 2 of the Pune Metro and includes two key routes: Vanaz to Chandani Chowk (Corridor 2A) and Ramwadi to Wagholi/Vitthalwadi (Corridor 2B).It will connect residential, IT, and educational hubs in areas such as Bavdhan, Koth..

Next Story
Infrastructure Transport

Assembly begins for ‘Nayak’ TBM on Thane– Borivali Twin Tunnel Project

The assembly of ‘Nayak’, the first of four Tunnel Boring Machines (TBMs) for the Thane–Borivali Twin Tube Tunnel Project, has commenced at the Thane site. Built by German firm Herrenknecht AG and deployed by Megha Engineering & Infrastructure (MEIL), the TBM marks a key milestone in Mumbai’s ambitious 11.8-km underground road corridor beneath Sanjay Gandhi National Park.The twin tunnels will reduce the Thane–Borivali travel distance by 12 km and decongest Thane Ghodbunder Road. ‘Nayak’, with a 13.2-metre diameter, is designed to bore through challenging geological conditions ..

Advertisement

Advertisement

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Get daily newsletters around different themes from Construction world.

STAY CONNECTED

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Talk to us?