MCG issues advisory banning open fires to curb winter air pollution in Gurugram
The advisory comes in response to multiple instances from December this yearwhere security personnel were found lighting fires in open areas to keep warm, a practice which according to civic officials, significantly worsens air pollution and poses health risks.
The Municipal Corporation of Gurugram (MCG) on Saturday has issued a strict advisory prohibiting the burning of open fires across the city.
The directions were issued to all resident welfare associations (RWAs), industries, commercial establishments (HT)
The advisory comes in response to multiple instances from December this yearwhere security personnel were found lighting fires in open areas to keep warm, a practice which according to civic officials, significantly worsens air pollution and poses health risks.
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MCG officials said that the burning of waste, wood, dry leaves or any other material in the open contributes directly to a spike in particulate matter, leading to a sharp rise in the Air Quality Index (AQI). Such activities, they added, have an adverse impact on public health, especially on children, elderly and those suffering from respiratory ailments.
The directions were issued to all resident welfare associations (RWAs), industries, commercial establishments and organisations that deploy security guards to ensure a complete ban on open fire activities within their premises. The advisory states that no form of open burning will be permitted.
The advisory warns offenders may face challans and penal action under the National Green Tribunal (NGT) orders dated December 4, 2014 and April 28, 2015 (OA No. 21/2014), Section 280 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, and provisions of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
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MCG commissioner Pradeep Dahiya said, “This measure has been taken in the larger public interest. Improvement in air quality is possible only with the collective responsibility and cooperation of all citizens and institutions,” he said.
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MCG commissioner Pradeep Dahiya said, “This measure has been taken in the larger public interest. Improvement in air quality is possible only with the collective responsibility and cooperation of all citizens and institutions,” he said.
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The corporation has instructed establishments to provide safe and approved alternatives for warmth during winter, such as electric heaters or other non-polluting heating arrangements, particularly for security personnel working outdoors. They have also been asked to sensitise their staff about the harmful effects of open burning and its legal consequences.
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.
