MCG tightens noose, invites hefty fines for open waste dumping
Civic officials said the drive includes spot fines, field inspections and continuous monitoring to curb unauthorised dumping along roadsides, vacant plots, drains, lakes and other public areas.
Gurugram:The Municipal Corporation of Gurugram (MCG) has announced strict penalties and intensified enforcement against illegal garbage dumping across the city.
If a violator fails to deposit the fine, amount will be recovered as arrears of land revenue under applicable legal provisions. (HT PHOTO)
The move follows National Green Tribunal (NGT) July 26, 2024 order banning solid waste disposal at public places across Haryana and highlighted that unregulated waste dumping causes serious environmental damage and violates citizens’ right to a clean and healthy environment.
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Civic officials said the drive includes spot fines, field inspections and continuous monitoring to curb unauthorised dumping along roadsides, vacant plots, drains, lakes and other public areas.
Bulk waste generators, institutions and agencies will be fined ₹25,000 for the first violation and ₹50,000 for repeated offences. For individuals, ₹5,000 fine will be imposed for the first time and ₹10,000 for the second violation, officials said, adding that the fines will be imposed on the spot by designated enforcement officers.
Additional commissioners, joint commissioners, deputy municipal commissioners, executive engineers, assistant engineers, junior engineers and sanitation officials have been authorised to levy penalties.
If a violator fails to deposit the fine, the amount will be recovered as arrears of land revenue under applicable legal provisions. Authorities added that the recovered funds will be used to improve waste processing and solid waste infrastructure in the city.
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Officials said the crackdown also aims to reduce the burden on dumping grounds, including the Bandhwari landfill, which has long been flagged as an environmental concern due to massive legacy waste.
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Officials said the crackdown also aims to reduce the burden on dumping grounds, including the Bandhwari landfill, which has long been flagged as an environmental concern due to massive legacy waste.
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MCG commissioner Pradeep Dahiya urged residents, RWAs, institutions and commercial establishments to use designated collection points and door-to-door waste pickup services. He said strict enforcement will continue, stressing that public cooperation is essential to keep Gurugram clean.
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.
