Rangri plant poised to tackle garbage crisis

In a major stride toward environmental reform, Rangri’s long-awaited waste management plant—strategically located along the Kullu-Manali National Highway—is gearing up to begin operations. With the construction of the plant’s shed complete and machinery installation in its final phase, the facility is poised to transform how waste is handled across the region. Once operational, it will mark a turning point in tackling the long-standing garbage crisis shadowing this Himalayan tourist haven.

Manali Municipal Council president Manoj Larje outlined the plant’s dual-track disposal strategy. Solid waste will be dispatched to cement factories for industrial reuse, while organic, decomposing waste will make its way to the biogas plant in Panchkula, Haryana—fueling sustainable energy production. “This organised system will help prevent unmanaged waste build-up and curb environmental pollution,” he noted.

The urgency of the situation intensified after the National Green Tribunal (NGT) imposed a hefty Rs 4.60 crore fine on the Manali Municipal Council last May. The penalty came in response to the unchecked discharge of untreated waste into the Beas River—highlighting the severe ecological toll of mismanaged garbage.

Until recently, waste collection had been on pause, particularly from areas stretching from Kullu and Bhuntar to Manali. This was due to the inefficiency of the previous waste management company, which was removed in September. In its place, a new firm, Sunton, took the reins and has since made rapid progress in installing the required machinery at the Rangri plant, laying the groundwork for better waste segregation and disposal.

Meanwhile, civic bodies throughout the district continue to struggle with the broader waste crisis. Temporary dumping sites in Sarwari (Kullu) and Kasol (Manikaran Valley) have drawn sharp criticism from local residents over health and environmental risks. Environmentalists warn that some settlements are still dumping waste directly into nearby rivers, threatening already fragile ecosystems.

To tackle these deep-rooted issues, the administration has mandated all municipal councils and village panchayats to draft localised waste management plans. The goal: structured, sustainable and community-driven waste solutions. The path ahead may be steep, but with collective action, the vision of a cleaner, greener Himachal is within reach.