PANAJI
The State government has made it mandatory for all Bulk Waste Generators (BWGs) to register on the Central government's online portal and comply with scientific waste management norms, warning that projects failing to do so will not receive approvals, occupancy certificates or operational clearances.
The directions, issued by the Department of Environment under Section 5 of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, are aimed at ensuring strict implementation of the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2026. The notification mandates all concerned departments, urban and rural local bodies, and regulatory authorities to identify eligible BWGs, verify their registration and ensure immediate compliance.
Under the rules, a Bulk Waste Generator is any entity with a built-up area of 20,000 sq mts or more, water consumption of at least 40,000 litres per day, or solid waste generation of 100 kg or more daily. The category includes government offices, educational institutions, hotels, hospitals, industries, malls, airports, ports, stadiums, wholesale markets, tourist spots and residential societies.
The notification requires BWGs to register through the centralised online portal, segregate waste at source, scientifically process wet waste through composting, biomethanation or other approved technologies, and hand over dry, sanitary and special-care waste only to authorised agencies. New BWGs must establish adequate on-site wet waste processing facilities, while existing generators unable to do so must obtain exemption from local bodies and procure Extended Bulk Waste Generator Responsibility (EBWGR) certificates.
BWGs have also been directed to submit annual returns by June 30 every year, refrain from engaging unauthorised waste handlers and ensure proper disposal of construction and transport-related waste.
The government has instructed the directorate of municipal administration, Panchayats, Goa State Pollution Control Board, Goa Real Estate Regulatory Authority, Town and Country Planning Department and all urban and rural local bodies not to grant development permissions, building permits, occupancy certificates, operational consents or other approvals to eligible projects unless BWG registration and compliance with waste management provisions are verified.
