...
...
Next Story

Gurugram launches month-long drive to eliminate garbage hotspots

One of the key components of the drive is the large-scale removal of C&D waste from high-visibility and high-impact locations

Published on: Aug 16, 2025, 03:21:35 IST
Advertisement

The Municipal Corporation of Gurugram (MCG) has launched a month-long, city-wide special drive on Friday to address three of the city’s most persistent civic issues — construction and demolition (C&D) waste, garbage-vulnerable points, and stray cattle. The campaign, which began this week, has been designed with strict timelines, measurable targets, and a zero-tolerance approach to negligence or obstruction. Officials have warned that those failing to comply or creating hurdles will face stringent legal action, including the filing of FIRs.

Garbage on the Gurugram-Farukhnagar road near Sultanpur National Park on Wednesday. (HT photo)
Garbage on the Gurugram-Farukhnagar road near Sultanpur National Park on Wednesday. (HT photo)

Major push to clear C&D waste

One of the key components of the drive is the large-scale removal of C&D waste from high-visibility and high-impact locations. The MCG has already deployed multiple teams to clear debris from sites such as Faridabad–Gurugram Road, Sector 29, Southern Peripheral Road (SPR), and the Auto Market area. MCG commissioner Pradeep Dahiya directed that no construction debris should be left unattended in public spaces and that disposal must be carried out within a strict timeline, said officials.

The MCG has also strengthened its enforcement measures against illegal dumping. Offenders caught disposing of debris in unauthorised areas will face immediate penalties — including vehicle seizure, heavy fines, and the filing of FIRs. “We are determined to end the practice of leaving C&D waste in open areas. This is not just a sanitation issue but also a matter of public safety and city aesthetics,” said Dahiya.

Addressing the long-standing problem of stray cattle roaming on city streets, the MCG has set a target of capturing at least 100 cattle every day for the next month and shifting them to Gaushalas . The operation will be carried out with full coordination from the Gurugram Police to ensure safety and prevent interference.

Dahiya issued a stern warning that anyone obstructing cattle-catching teams will face immediate legal action, including the registration of FIRs. Dairy owners and cattle rearers have been cautioned not to let their animals wander in public areas. “The menace of stray cattle not only affects traffic flow but also poses a serious safety risk to residents. We will deal firmly with those responsible,” he added.

Eradicating garbage-vulnerable points

Another major focus of the campaign is the removal of garbage-vulnerable points — locations where waste habitually accumulates. These spots will be cleared and closely monitored to prevent recurrence. Officials will also act against individuals or entities caught dumping waste in public areas, with penalties including fines and legal prosecution.

“Our aim is to make Gurugram clean, safe, and orderly,” Dahiya said during a high-level review meeting at MCG headquarters on Friday. “This campaign is not a one-time clean-up; it is about setting new standards of civic discipline and ensuring visible, lasting results. We will not tolerate negligence at any level.”

Officials have been given clear instructions to meet their daily and weekly targets, with progress to be reviewed regularly. The MCG hopes that by the end of the one-month period, Gurugram will see a visible improvement in cleanliness, waste management efficiency, and control of stray cattle.

“This special drive is an opportunity to reset the city’s sanitation and urban management standards,” Dahiya said, adding that the cooperation of residents will be key to sustaining the improvements beyond the campaign period.

 
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.

Catch every big hit, every wicket with Crickit, a one stop destination for Live Scores, Match Stats, Infographics & much more. Explore now!.

Stay updated with all the Breaking News and Latest News from Mumbai. Click here for comprehensive coverage of top Cities including Bengaluru, Delhi, Hyderabad, and more across India along with Stay informed on the latest happenings in World News.
Catch every big hit, every wicket with Crickit, a one stop destination for Live Scores, Match Stats, Infographics & much more. Explore now!.

Stay updated with all the Breaking News and Latest News from Mumbai. Click here for comprehensive coverage of top Cities including Bengaluru, Delhi, Hyderabad, and more across India along with Stay informed on the latest happenings in World News.
SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Notifications

Get breaking alerts directly from the newsroom

Notifications are on!You'll be notified when news breaks