Hry pollution board issues notice to MCM over waste violations

The notice, issued under Section 15 of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, comes after repeated complaints from residents

Published on: Mar 10, 2025, 05:30:07 IST

By Leena Dhankhar

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The Haryana State Pollution Control Board (HSPCB) has issued a show-cause notice to the Municipal Corporation of Manesar (MCM) for failing to comply with the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016, officials said. The notice, issued under Section 15 of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, comes after repeated complaints from residents about illegal waste dumping and burning, they added.

Garbage dumped on a road alongside NH 48 in Manesar. (HT Archive)

The latest action follows a formal complaint from resident Bir Singh, who reported open dumping and waste burning along the road connecting IMT Manesar Sectors 8 and 11 to the KMP-Orbit Rail in January and February. Concerns over soil contamination and environmental pollution have also gained traction on social media and news platforms.

This marks the second notice issued to MCM, as previous warnings have gone unheeded. The HSPCB has also reminded the municipal commissioner that, as per its directives dated December 22, 2021, MCM remains liable for environmental compensation, which will be calculated based on the pollution board’s penalty methodology.

In response, regional officer Vijay Choudhary (South Gurugram, HSPCB) said that the notice is a reflection of the board’s frustration over MCM’s inaction. “Despite repeated notices and a show-cause notice, we have not received a response from MCM, and the situation on the ground remains unchanged. If this continues, we will take action against MCM for their negligence in keeping the area free from pollution. They must ensure that all waste burning and open dumping is stopped immediately,” he added.

Despite repeated attempts, senior MCM officials did not respond to queries regarding the violations. Jitender Gandhi, additional commissioner, MCM, who holds the authority to clear all sanitation-related payments, did not respond to HT’s request for a comment. Meanwhile, Tushar Yadav, executive engineer (Swachh Bharat Mission) claimed that sanitation work does not fall under his jurisdiction.

HSPCB has also flagged concerns about bulk waste generators mixing waste, which is further exacerbating the problem. Over the past months, residents have consistently reported illegal waste disposal and burning, urging immediate municipal intervention.

The HSPCB has now set a 15-day deadline for MCM to provide an explanation for its inaction and to implement immediate corrective measures. Failure to comply may result in legal proceedings and environmental penalties, HSPCB officials said.

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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