DOI:- https://doi.org/10.64880/shikshasamvad.v3i3.35

Author(s) : Sourab Singh Solanki¹, Priyanka Malviya²

ABSTRACT

                   This paper critically examines the relationship between Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) and Solid Waste Management (SWM) within the constitutional framework established by the 74th Constitutional Amendment Act. The Amendment institutionalized decentralization by empowering municipalities as the third tier of governance, assigning them primary responsibility for essential urban services, including sanitation and waste management. Despite this constitutional mandate, the performance of ULBs in SWM remains uneven across Indian cities, revealing significant gaps between legislative intent and ground-level implementation.

By comparing high-performing cities such as Indore with comparatively underperforming urban centers, the paper highlights the critical determinants of effective waste management systems. Indore’s success, consistently recognized under the Swachh Bharat Mission rankings, is attributed not merely to advanced infrastructure or technological adoption, but to robust governance mechanisms, administrative accountability, and sustained citizen participation. The city’s model demonstrates how behavioral change campaigns, strict enforcement of municipal by-laws, and public-private partnerships can create a culture of collective responsibility.

Conversely, cities struggling with SWM often exhibit weak institutional capacity, fragmented accountability, and limited community engagement. The absence of participatory governance and inadequate awareness initiatives results in poor segregation practices, inefficient collection systems, and environmental degradation. These disparities suggest that technological interventions—such as waste-to-energy plants or mechanized processing—are insufficient in isolation.

The paper argues that governance quality, institutional coordination, and active citizen involvement are the primary drivers of sustainable SWM outcomes. Effective implementation depends on transparent decision-making, financial autonomy of ULBs, and inclusive community-led initiatives that foster ownership among residents. Thus, the study concludes that while technological solutions can enhance efficiency, they remain secondary to the broader governance ecosystem. Strengthening democratic decentralization and promoting civic engagement are essential for achieving long-term environmental sustainability in urban India.

KEYWORDS

Urban Local Governance, Solid Waste Management, 74th Constitutional Amendment Act, Citizen Participation, Policy Implementation.

Cite this Article: 

Sourab Singh Solanki¹, Priyanka Malviya², “Urban Local Governance and Solid Waste Management: A Comparative Study of Policy Implementation and Citizen Participation in Indian Cities”Shiksha Samvad International Open Access Peer-Reviewed & Refereed Journal of Multidisciplinary Research, ISSN: 2584-0983 (Online), Volume 03, Issue 03, pp.308-317, March-2026. Journal URL: https://shikshasamvad.com/