Gurugram cracks down on plastic, issues 11,600 challans in one year

Enforcement teams targeted vendors, stockists and manufacturers as agencies stepped up inspections and awareness campaigns citywide.

Published on: May 20, 2026, 07:34:09 IST

By Leena Dhankhar

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Marking one of the largest anti-plastic enforcement drives in Haryana, Gurugram authorities have issued more than 11,600 challans and recovered over ₹1 crore during intensive action against banned single-use plastic (SUP) items over the past year, officials claimed. The campaign is jointly carried out by the Haryana State Pollution Control Board (HSPCB), Gurugram Region (North), and the Municipal Corporation Gurugram (MCG), they added.

Enforcement teams targeted vendors, stockists and manufacturers as agencies stepped up inspections and awareness campaigns citywide. (HT)

According to official data, MCG issued 11,601 challans against stockists, shopkeepers, vendors and manufacturers violating the SUP ban. Penalties of ₹92.83 lakh were imposed, while ₹1.05 crore was recovered during enforcement drives — reflecting a major escalation amid growing concerns over environmental degradation, waste accumulation and drainage blockages.

Environment minister Rao Narbir Singh reaffirmed the government’s commitment, saying, “Our vision is to make Gurugram completely plastic-free. Single-use plastic has become a serious environmental threat affecting drainage systems, public health and urban cleanliness. Strict enforcement, public participation and behavioural change are all necessary to tackle this problem.” He added that agencies had been directed to intensify enforcement while promoting sustainable alternatives such as cloth and jute bags.

Akansha Tanwar, regional officer of HSPCB Gurugram (North), said, “We are conducting continuous enforcement drives across Gurugram and taking strict action wherever banned single-use plastic items are found. Material is immediately seized, and environmental penalties are imposed as per applicable rules. Along with enforcement, awareness campaigns are also being conducted so that people shift towards sustainable alternatives.”

Recent inspections identified multiple establishments allegedly dealing in banned SUP items near Sabzi Mandi in Sadar Bazar, Raj Nagar, New Anaj Mandi, and Sadar Bazar. These cases have been referred to MCG for cancellation of trade licences.

Gurugram-based environmentalist Vaishali Rana has repeatedly flagged plastic waste as a major contributor to choked stormwater drains and severe waterlogging during monsoon seasons.

HSPCB is also promoting the “Bring Your Own Bag” initiative and distributing jute bags. Authorities said the campaign would continue with stricter monitoring and coordinated action against repeat violators.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Leena Dhankhar
Leena Dhankhar is Senior Editor and Bureau Chief, Gurugram, at Hindustan Times, where she has spent over 17 years chronicling the transformation of one of India's fastest-growing urban regions. From starting her career as a crime reporter to leading the Gurugram bureau, her journalism has been defined by investigative reporting, in-depth storytelling and an unwavering focus on public interest. Over nearly two decades, she has reported extensively across crime, politics, civic governance, elections, real estate, environment, courts, sports, education and entertainment, covering Gurugram, Faridabad, Nuh and Palwal. Her reporting has exposed several major scams and systemic failures, including insurance frauds, waste management irregularities, illegal arms manufacturing units in Nuh, illegal mining in the Aravallis, organised crime networks and governance lapses affecting millions of residents. Known for her investigative work and exclusive stories, Leena has reported on high-impact national issues, including the Nicaragua charter flight carrying Indian migrants that was turned back amid allegations of human trafficking, exposing the growing network of illegal immigration rackets. Her work has also focused on gang wars, prison administration, juvenile crime, women and child protection systems, the functioning of the Juvenile Justice Board and Child Welfare Committee, and environmental challenges such as pollution, waterlogging and deteriorating civic infrastructure. Beyond hard news, Leena has extensively documented Haryana's rich heritage, forests and wildlife, bringing attention to the state's historical landmarks, biodiversity, conservation efforts and ecological challenges through immersive reportage and feature writing. Her journalism has consistently gone beyond breaking news. She has documented Gurugram's rapid urbanisation through long-form narratives and enterprise reporting on issues ranging from pothole-ridden roads, flooding and waste management to the changing social fabric of India's Millennium City. She also writes widely read feature columns, including The Outsider, Changemaker, and Concern for Gurugram, profiling people, places and ideas shaping the city's identity. Leena is the author of Gurugram School Murder, published by Juggernaut Books, a deeply reported account of one of India's most high-profile school murder investigations. She is currently working on her second book, an investigative work exploring some of India's most significant scams and fraud investigations. Beyond print journalism, she has expanded her storytelling through public speaking and digital media. She is a TEDx speaker and has produced podcasts exploring Gurugram's transformation, civic challenges and untold stories. Her work reflects a commitment to narrative journalism that combines rigorous reporting with compelling storytelling. A law graduate with an MBA in Human Resources, Leena brings a multidisciplinary perspective to her reporting, particularly on governance, public policy and legal affairs. She has travelled extensively across India to pursue investigative assignments, often reporting from remote locations and conflict-prone areas in search of stories that matter.Read More

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