MCG forms teams to crack down on dumping of C&D waste across city

These illegal dumping activities, often carried out at night under cover of darkness, have turned into a nightmare for the municipal corporation since they lead to traffic snarls, pollution as well as environmental degradation

Updated on: Aug 10, 2024, 05:36:09 IST

By Leena Dhankhar

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Gurugram: The Municipal Corporation of Gurugram (MCG) has formed multiple teams to crack down on illegal contractors who continue to dump construction and demolition (C&D) waste and debris at various locations across the city, officials said on Friday.

Since 2022, the C&D waste management process in Gurugram has collapsed, with illegal dumping now rampant across the city. (HT PHOTO)

These illegal dumping activities, often carried out at night under cover of darkness, have turned into a nightmare for the municipal corporation since they lead to traffic snarls, pollution as well as environmental degradation.

Joginder Singh, former president RWA said that the dumping of C&D waste along city roads, especially on the service lanes of NH-48, the Gurugram-Faridabad Road, and in Sector-12, has become a significant problem.

“It not only disrupts traffic flow but also poses a threat to public health and safety. The resurgence of illegal C&D waste dumping has alarmed residents and environmentalists alike. The Aravallis, once celebrated for their picturesque landscapes and ecological significance, are now under threat due to the mounting heaps of C&D waste. This issue, which was largely brought under control in 2020 and 2021, has emerged once again raising concerns about the current waste management practices in Gurugram,” Singh said.

The MCG was the first municipal corporation in the country to implement a door-to-door C&D waste collection system. However, this service is currently non-functional, leaving residents with no option but to rely on unauthorised transporters to dispose of their waste. These transporters charge anywhere from ₹1,500 to ₹2,000 per tractor-trolley, only to dump the waste illegally along roadsides or in low-lying areas, leading to blocked drains and waterlogging during the monsoon season.

MCG commissioner Narhari Singh Bangar said their teams are penalising people dumping C&D waste illegally on the road or in the Aravallis. “We are keeping a close watch on unauthorised transporters and have registered cases against them in the last two months,” he said.

“The lack of a functional door-to-door waste collection service and an effective enforcement mechanism has led to the rampant dumping of C&D waste across the city. This indiscriminate dumping not only brings down air quality but also clogs drains and sewage pipelines, aggravating the city’s waterlogging problems,” said Rajkumar Yadav, president RWA, Sector 46.

Moreover, illegal land sharks are involved in this as they use the dumped waste to fill low-lying areas, enabling them to grab land for unauthorised constructions. These activities not only pollute the environment but also contribute to the city’s recurring issues with waterlogging.

The situation marks a stark contrast to the progress made in 2020 and 2021 when Gurugram was lauded for its exemplary C&D waste management strategies. A 2021 report by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) and NITI Aayog, titled ‘Waste-wise Cities,’ recognized Gurugram’s approach to C&D waste management as a model practice worthy of replication across India. The report, which documented best practices in municipal solid waste management, highlighted Gurugram’s success in reducing illegal C&D waste dumping by 60%.

However, since 2022, the C&D waste management process in Gurugram has collapsed, with illegal dumping now rampant across the city. The reasons behind this decline remain unclear, but the consequences are evident in the growing environmental degradation and public health risks.

To address these issues, the MCG has selected four agencies for the collection and transportation of C&D waste to processing plants. Additionally, the state government is considering a proposal to increase the capacity of the C&D waste processing plant to 1,000 tonnes per day (TPD). Tenders for this expansion are expected to be invited by September 15 this year.

“The MCG’s crackdown on illegal contractors is a crucial first step to tackle the unauthorised dumping, but long-term solutions are needed to address the root causes of the issue and protect the city’s natural heritage,” said former Ward 34 councillor Rama Rani Rathee.

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