ITANAGAR, 6 May: The Itanagar permanent bench of the Gauhati High Court has directed the Itanagar Municipal Corporation (IMC) to impose fine on those who throw garbage on roads or create solid waste pollution, under the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016.
The court issued the order after hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by one Takam Diring, regarding unplanned solid waste management within the IMC’s jurisdiction, IMC Mayor Tame Phassang told media persons here on Friday.
“Further, the court has directed the IMC to incorporate provisions in the municipality bye-laws and any other law for imposing fine on those found throwing garbage on the road and creating solid waste pollution in the city,” Phassang said.
He said that, as per the court’s directive, a joint meeting of the heads of the town planning department and urban local bodies, the DCs of Papum Pare and the ICR, and the IMC was held for effective implementation of the SWM Rule, 2016.
“We welcome the PIL filed by activist Diring, due to which IMC has to execute the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016. However, we want equal participation from the public to cooperate to keep the city clean. The fight against garbage is permanent; only public participation can solve the issue,” said the mayor.
He said that two solid waste management plants are being constructed in Karsingsa and Chimpu.
Expressing concern over solid waste in a few rural areas under the capital region, Phassang said that the town planning department will soon issue an order, so that the IMC can operate in the rural areas adjoining the capital region.
He appealed to the panchayat leaders to create awareness about cleanliness in their respective villages and cooperate with the IMC to make the capital clean and green.
ICR DC Talo Potom, IMC Commissioner Likha Tejji, Urban Development Director Likha Suraj, IMC EAC Datum Gadi and other officials attended the meeting.
