IN THE HIGH COURT OF GUJARAT AT AHMEDABAD R/WRIT PETITION (PIL) (WRIT PETITION (PIL)) NO. 6 of 2023 ==========================================================

AMIT MANIBHAI PANCHAL Versus STATE OF GUJARAT & ORS.

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Appearance:

MR. AMIT PANCHAL, PARTY IN PERSON(5000) for the Applicant(s) No. 1 MS DEVANGI SOLANKI, AMICUS CURIAE MR KAMAL TRIVEDI, ADVOCATE GENERAL with MR VINAY BAIRAGRA, ASSISTANT GOVERNMENT PLEADER for the Opponent(s) No. 1,3,4 MR MITESH AMIN, SENIOR ADVOCATE with MR HS MUNSHAW(495) for the Opponent(s) No. 5 SIDDHANT R SHAH(8722) for the Opponent(s) No. 6 MS MANISHA LAVKUMAR, SENIOR ADVOCATE with SIDDHARTH S RAMI(8342) for the Opponent(s) No. 8,9 MR. G.H.VIRK, WITH MR. S.H.VIRK, ADV. WITH MS. NENCY P. SHETH,ADV. FOR AMC ==========================================================

CORAM:HONOURABLE THE CHIEF JUSTICE MRS. JUSTICE SUNITA AGARWAL and HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE D.N.RAY Date : 06/03/2026

ORAL ORDER

(PER : HONOURABLE THE CHIEF JUSTICE MRS. JUSTICE SUNITA AGARWAL)

The personal affidavit dated 05.03.2026 of the Commissioner, Commissioner of Municipalities Administration, Gujarat on behalf of the State Government, as also the affidavit of the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation in compliance of the order dated 16.01.2026 passed by this Court filed today in the Court, are taken on record.

2. Placing the personal affidavit of the Commissioner, Commissioner of Municipalities Administration, Gujarat dated 05.03.2026 before us, it is submitted by the learned Advocate General that with a view to ensure strict compliance of the Plastic Waste Management Rules, necessary instructions have been passed on to the concerned officials, with respect to launch of State-wide awareness campaigns, exploring options of alternative carry bags, enforcement of ban on low-micron plastic carry bags, conducting regular inspection etc..

3. The minutes of the meeting held on 18.02.2026 in that regard has been placed on record, wherein all urban local bodies (ULBS’) are directed to ensure time-bound installation and operationalisation of MRF facilities in their jurisdictional areas. Time-bound EPR portal registration and execution of agreement with an agency duly registered on EPR portal within stipulated timeline, has been directed to compete the aforesaid process.

4. It was resolved that the GPCB shall compile and analysis the data Urban local bodywise on the quantity of (i) plastic waste generated; (ii) collected; (iii) recycled/processed and (iv) identity gaps and deficiencies at the Urban local body level and submit an analytical report to the Urban Development and Urban Housing Department for corrective action.

5. Besides that, the GPCB has proposed for launching of focused State-wide awareness campaign on plastic waste management with emphasis on reduction of plastic use, source segregation, and responsible and sustainable consumption. The GPCB highlighted the need for strengthening regulatory and monitoring mechanism by undertaking routine inspections; compliance verification of registered entities and enforcement actions wherever required under the applicable rules. The GPCB also proposed for preparation of comprehensive and updated action plan on plastic waste management by reviewing latest National policies and guidelines and identifying amendments or improvements required in existing State-level polices and procedures. Other steps required to be undertaken by the GPCB in the said direction were also discussed, deliberated and resolved therein.

5. It is further submitted in the affidavit that as per the current status of plastic waste management, across the urban local bodies (ULBS’), as on January, 2026, out of 152 Nagarpalikas, plastic waste storage/processing facilities are available in 132 Nagarpalikas; agreement for plastic waste management and disposal have been executed by 133 Nagarpalikas and action under the plastic carry-bag ban has been reported in 150 Nagarpalikas. For the remai