Guwahati: The Meghalaya government has cleared the formation of a new organisation to manage waste more effectively in the Shillong urban region, as the existing system has been facing problems related to uneven service and poor coordination.
This new organisation, named the Greater Shillong Waste Management Agency, will be set up as a registered society and will bring together waste collection and disposal functions that are currently handled separately by different local authorities.
According to officials, the main goal is to remove coordination problems and improve the overall functioning of waste management services in the city.
Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma said the decision has been taken in view of Shillong’s fast urban expansion and growing population pressure. He noted that multiple agencies are currently responsible for waste services across different jurisdictions, leading to duplication of work and reduced efficiency.
The proposed agency will function across the Greater Shillong Planning Area, which spans around 288.5 square kilometres. The government stated that consultations were conducted with local communities in the region before finalising the plan, following a strong requirement to improve garbage collection and disposal systems.
Officials said the new system will be voluntary, and both local bodies and residents will have the freedom to decide whether to take part in it or maintain their current way of managing waste.
Shillong’s steady growth in recent years has put pressure on urban services, prompting the government to strengthen infrastructure and improve public facilities under its development plans.