Himachal Pradesh News
Himachal High Court Slams Authorities Over Manali’s Rangri Waste Plant, Seeks Personal Appearance
The Himachal Pradesh High Court has come down heavily on authorities over alleged violations in solid waste management and bio-mining operations at the Rangri waste treatment facility in Manali. Calling the situation a “sad state of affairs,” the Court expressed serious concern after reviewing an inspection report submitted by the HP State Pollution Control Board.
The Himachal Pradesh High Court has come down heavily on authorities over alleged violations in solid waste management and bio-mining operations at the Rangri waste treatment facility in Manali. Calling the situation a “sad state of affairs,” the Court expressed serious concern after reviewing an inspection report submitted by the HP State Pollution Control Board.
The matter was heard by a Division Bench comprising Justice Gurmeet Singh Sandhawalia and Justice Bipin Chander Negi. The Bench directed the Executive Officer of the Municipal Council Manali and the authorised representative of Suntan Life Pvt Ltd to appear personally before the Court during the next hearing scheduled for July 8.
85% Waste Found Unsegregated at Rangri Plant
According to an inspection conducted on February 21, 2026, officials found that nearly 85 percent of the waste reaching the Rangri facility was mixed waste instead of properly segregated garbage. The findings reportedly violate the provisions of the Solid Waste Management Rules 2016.
The report highlighted that improper waste segregation had triggered foul smell issues in nearby areas. Authorities were also criticised for failing to install effective odour-control and fly-management systems at the plant, raising concerns among local residents and environmental observers.
Court Questions Transportation of Wet Waste to Ambala
During the hearing, the Court was informed that untreated wet waste from Manali was being transported to a biogas plant in Ambala, located over 300 kilometres away from the hill town.
The Bench expressed strong displeasure over the arrangement, observing that transporting untreated wet waste across such a long distance could itself become a source of pollution. The Court also noted that untreated wet waste was lying openly at the site, generating leachate, while the designated leachate pit at the facility was reportedly non-functional.
Slow Bio-Mining Operations Under Scanner
The inspection report also pointed to major delays in bio-mining operations at the Rangri site. Out of nearly 78,464 tonnes of legacy waste accumulated at the facility, only around 32,778 tonnes had reportedly been processed till January 2026.
The Court’s sharp observations have once again brought attention to the growing waste management challenges in tourist-heavy hill stations like Manali, where increasing visitor footfall continues to put pressure on civic infrastructure and environmental systems.
