MCG to fine, lodge FIRs for open waste burning

A senior MCG official said the civic body has already started issuing fines and 23 entities were fined ₹1 lakh in total for burning garbage in open in the past one week

Updated on: Oct 14, 2024, 05:58:19 IST

By Leena Dhankhar

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The Municipal Corporation of Gurugram (MCG) has instructed its officials to file FIRs against individuals involved in burning garbage in a move to curb pollution and enhance sanitation, said officials aware of the development. The practice is known to significantly contribute to pollution, especially during winter months, worsening air quality in the region. In a meeting on Sunday, MCG commissioner Narhari Singh Bangar said that continuous monitoring of such incidents is crucial to maintaining the city’s air quality as the winter season approaches.

Garbage burning observed within close proximity of green belts at Sector 12 near Vivekananda Aarogay Kendra in Gurugram earlier in the year. (HT Photo)

According to MCG officials, the corporation has started enforcing the directive last week. During the meeting, which was chaired by Bangar, he directed swift action on sewage overflow complaints, which have been on the rise in residential and commercial areas. He also mandated the immediate replacement of missing or stolen manhole covers to prevent accidents and maintain hygiene. “We must ensure that garbage is dumped only at designated locations and not elsewhere, to keep the city clean and orderly,” he said.

The commissioner also highlighted the importance of addressing garbage burning promptly. “Burning garbage releases harmful gases and smoke, which not only pollutes the environment but also poses serious health risks, especially to those with respiratory issues. FIRs must be filed against offenders to send a strong message,” said Bangar, adding that police have been directed to take strict action against those found guilty of this violation.

A senior MCG official said the civic body has already started issuing fines and 23 entities were fined ₹1 lakh in total for burning garbage in open in the past one week. Meanwhile, individual fines hovered around ₹5,000.

In addition to cracking down on illegal waste disposal, Bangar directed MCG officials to ramp up efforts in resolving sewage-related issues, particularly complaints about sewage overflow. He emphasised that immediate action is necessary to prevent health hazards.

Additionally, Bangar called for regular inspections of bulk waste generators (BWGs) to ensure compliance with the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016. “If BWGs fail to manage their waste responsibly, they will face penalties,” Bangar said. The commissioner also instructed officials to address the issue of stray animals and ensure that horticultural waste is collected and disposed of promptly.

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