Patiala News (30 March): The Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB), under the chairmanship of Ms. Reena Gupta, organized a comprehensive training programme on the new Solid Waste Management (SWM) Rules, 2026, at the Mahatma Gandhi State Institute of Public Administration, Chandigarh, on March 27, 2026. The initiative was aimed at strengthening awareness and ensuring effective implementation of the updated rules notified by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC).
The newly notified SWM Rules, 2026, mark a significant update over the 2016 framework and will come into force from April 1, 2026. The revised rules place greater emphasis on scientific waste management, segregation at source and greater accountability of stakeholders. The training programme witnessed participation from 268 officials, including Executive Officers of Urban Local Bodies (ULBs), SWM Nodal Officers, Programme Coordinators, Capacity Building Experts, and officers of PPCB. The session focused on clarifying roles, responsibilities, and the implementation framework required under the new regulatory regime.
Dr. Dhamodharan K, Assistant Professor, Department of Energy and Environment, Thapar Institute of Engineering and Technology (TIET), was invited as the key resource person. He conducted an in-depth two-hour session elaborating on the key provisions, structural changes from the 2016 rules, and practical challenges in implementation. Additionally, Mr. Akshit Kapil, Assistant Environmental Engineer at PPCB, delivered a session providing a concise overview of the updated rules, highlighting major changes and their implications for field level execution.
The programme forms part of a broader effort to build capacity across departments and ensure preparedness ahead of the enforcement date. By bringing together officials from multiple levels, PPCB aims to create a unified understanding of the regulatory framework and facilitate smoother implementation across the state.
The workshop concluded with an interactive discussion, where participants engaged with experts to clarify operational challenges and share on-ground experiences, reinforcing the commitment towards improved solid waste management practices in Punjab.
