Haryana’s environment minister Rao Narbir Singh on Thursday ordered an inquiry and the forming of a special investigation team (SIT) following HT’s report on the illegal dumping of 32,000 tonnes of waste in the ecologically fragile Aravalli hills and Tauru villages.
Parveen Kumar
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The minister has directed officials to visit the dumping sites and the alleged processing facility in Palwal, where the contractor had claimed to have treated the waste.
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“The contractor will be asked to remove the dumped waste at zero cost, and all official documents related to the project will be scrutinised. A detailed report will be submitted to me within 15 days,” said Singh.
The ₹3 crore waste management contract, awarded in November 2024, was meant for scientific bioremediation of legacy waste that had accumulated over years. However, HT found during spot visits and in conversations with residents that instead of proper waste processing, the material was transported to more than 20 illegal sites, where it was covered with subsoil to evade detection.
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The contractor, Jagjeet Nain, was paid half of the contract value within a month of the work order being issued. The improper waste disposal has reportedly led to contamination of soil and groundwater and destruction of local biodiversity in the protected Aravalli region.
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The contractor, Jagjeet Nain, was paid half of the contract value within a month of the work order being issued. The improper waste disposal has reportedly led to contamination of soil and groundwater and destruction of local biodiversity in the protected Aravalli region.
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Singh called the incident a “grave violation” and promised strict action against those responsible. He confirmed that tractor trolley drivers and eyewitnesses involved in the illegal dumping will be interviewed to help establish what occurred.
Expressing concern over the payment release before compliance verification, the minister promised a thorough review of all documents related to the project.
“I will personally examine how and on what grounds the payment was released to the contractor. Anyone found guilty of negligence or misconduct will be suspended immediately,” he said.
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Nuh deputy commissioner Vishram Kumar Meena, said that the municipal commissioners have been asked to submit a report. “If no action is taken by them, we will form a committee involving pollution board members to gather all the details before proceeding with any action.”
Sumit Kumar, Secretary of the Municipal Corporation, Tauru, said: “We have formed a team on Thursday to inspect all violations. The payments were cleared only after our officials physically checked the legacy waste pickup and processing. We will get all the facts verified again.”
Dr Sushil Malik, district municipal commissioner of Nuh, who previously acknowledged the violations and promised action, did not respond to requests for a comment on Thursday.
The Aravalli hills, already threatened by illegal mining and deforestation, are protected under multiple environmental laws including the Environment Protection Act, 1986, the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016, and the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.
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.
