NHRC monitor reviews Gurugram sanitation, waste management measures

Officials said 1.29 lakh bulk waste generators identified. Nearly 400 vehicles deployed for door-to-door collection under a short-term plan till July 2026.

Published on: Feb 26, 2026, 07:06:51 IST

By Leena Dhankhar

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National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) special monitor Vidya Bhushan Kumar on Wednesday reviewed sanitation, solid waste management and environmental protection measures in Gurugram, directing officials to ensure time-bound and result-oriented implementation with visible on-ground impact.

At Bandhwari, 3.62 million tonnes of legacy waste processed so far, with the rest targeted for clearance by Feb 2027, officials told the NHRC team. (HT)

At a meeting held at the Municipal Corporation of Gurugram (MCG) office, officials from the Gurugram Metropolitan Development Authority (GMDA), MCG, Haryana Shahari Vikas Pradhikaran (HSVP) and the Haryana State Pollution Control Board presented progress reports on cleanliness drives, door-to-door waste collection, road sweeping, green development projects and pollution control measures across the city’s four zones.

Officials informed the NHRC monitor that a multi-layered system has been put in place for scientific disposal of municipal solid waste, including regular door-to-door collection, maintenance of secondary collection points, legacy waste processing, horticulture waste management and construction and demolition waste handling. Around 129,903 properties have been identified as bulk waste generators producing more than 100 kg of waste daily. Under a short-term arrangement from January 9 to July 8, 2026, four agencies are deploying nearly 400 vehicles for door-to-door collection, while a long-term waste management plan is under preparation, officials said.

Dust control measures

Authorities highlighted that, in addition to mechanised road sweeping, a special road dust lifting campaign has been underway since October 25, 2025. Measures to curb air pollution include the deployment of truck-mounted sprinklers, anti-smog guns and air quality monitoring stations, along with development of electric vehicle charging infrastructure.

Landfill, plant upgrades

At the Bandhwari waste management site, officials said 3.62 million metric tonnes of legacy waste had been processed by January 31, 2026, with the remaining 1.6 million metric tonnes targeted for clearance by February 2027. The capacity of the Basai C&D waste plant has been increased from 300 tonnes per day to 1,200 tonnes per day. Plans to develop 101 km of roads as model roads are being implemented, and of 74 ponds under the municipal area, work has been completed at 55 while the rest is underway. Treated water from micro-STPs is being used for irrigation of parks and ponds.

Enforcement, directions issued

To curb illegal dumping, 12 teams of a sanitation security force comprising ex-servicemen have been deployed and 81 assistant sanitation inspectors recruited to strengthen enforcement. Kumar stressed that “the impact of schemes must be visible on the ground” and directed officials to ensure time-bound, transparent and result-oriented implementation with sustained monitoring of door-to-door collection, landfill management, pollution control and public health. He also emphasised citizen participation, faster grievance redressal, stronger awareness campaigns and increased plantation drives.

Following the meeting, the NHRC special monitor visited multiple sites, including Hero Company premises, the Commission for Air Quality Management station at Vikas Sadan, the Basai C&D waste and water treatment plants, and the Bandhwari landfill, to assess on-ground conditions.

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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