The Madhya Pradesh High Court at Gwalior, hearing a public interest litigation concerning unhygienic conditions in Gwalior due to garbage accumulation, reviewed the compliance report submitted by the Municipal Corporation. The Court was informed that the Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) for a Waste-to-Energy Plant and a Sanitary Landfill Site had been approved by the State Level Technical Committee, while tenders for a Compressed Bio-Gas Station were under process. Disciplinary action was initiated against 43 negligent municipal employees, and penalties worth around ₹1 lakh were imposed on citizens for irresponsible waste dumping.
The Court also noted the shortfall of 81 door-to-door garbage collection vehicles and encouraged bridging the gap through Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) contributions from industries and NGOs. It further proposed the creation of a Corporate Climate Responsibility Fund (CCR Fund) to address environmental and hygiene issues in the long term.
Laying down a roadmap for action, the Court issued the following directions:
1. Municipal Corporation, Gwalior to run the sanitation project in mission mode with citywide awareness drives.
2. Explore CSR partnerships with industries, NGOs, and private institutions to procure garbage collection vehicles.
3. Consider creation of a Corporate Climate Responsibility (CCR) Fund dedicated to environment and hygiene.
4. Conduct public awareness programmes on sanitation challenges and municipal solutions.
5. Commissioner to place proposal for a dedicated CSR/public donation account before the Mayor-in-Council.
6. Commissioner to monitor municipal officers closely and take immediate action against negligence.
7. Municipal officers to keep their phones available 24×7 for public grievance redressal.
8. Engage citizens, including auto/e-rickshaw drivers, as “Green Warriors”, with recognition for good deeds.
The matter will next be reviewed on October 8, 2025
Appearances:
Petitioner: Shri Rinku Shakya Adv
Respondent: Shri Praveen Kumar Newaskar
