Shillong, April 17: The Meghalaya Cabinet has approved the establishment of the Greater Shillong Waste Management Agency to address waste management challenges in the rapidly expanding Shillong urban area.

The agency will be registered as a society and is intended to function as a coordinating body to improve efficiency in garbage collection and disposal across the Greater Shillong Planning Area, which spans approximately 288.5 square kilometres.

According to Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma, the agency will operate on a voluntary basis. Localities will have the option to avail its services, and participation will not be mandatory.

Waste management in Shillong is currently handled by multiple entities, including municipal boards, district councils, and cantonment areas. The involvement of different agencies across jurisdictions has led to gaps in coordination and operational inefficiencies.

The decision to establish the agency follows consultations with around 100 localities within the Greater Shillong Planning Area, many of which supported the initiative. Inputs were also received from the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council and other departments.

The government stated that the agency will aim to streamline waste management processes by providing an integrated approach and improving overall service delivery in the city.

In a separate decision, the Cabinet also approved amendments to the Meghalaya Real Estate (Regulation and Development) General Rules, 2020. The changes relate to the remuneration of the Chairman and Members, aligning them with norms followed by other government institutions to ensure uniformity.