Approximately six kilometers from the vibrant DLF Cyberhub in Sector 23A of Gurgaon, residents face a daunting daily reality marked by unpleasant sights and odors. The vicinity surrounding their homes in Carterpuri village is plagued by persistent littering.<\/p>\n
Homeowners in this area, where properties are valued at over Rs 3 crore, are unable to escape the foul smell that permeates the air, especially when the wind picks up.<\/p>\n
This neighborhood has been classified as one of the 186 \u201cgarbage vulnerable points\u201d by the Municipal Corporation of Gurugram (MCG), indicating a location where waste is frequently discarded but seldom collected.<\/p>\n
Last month, the MCG mandated that Sector 23A register as a bulk waste generator (BWG) in alignment with the newly implemented Solid Waste Management Rules, 2026, which took effect on April 1. These regulations stipulate that BWGs must manage wet waste on-site and coordinate the collection, segregation, and transportation of solid waste\u2014either independently or via registered agencies\u2014 to designated collection points.<\/p>\n
However, residents have voiced their opposition to this initiative, stating that the MCG must first address its own inefficiencies. Bhawani Shankar Tripathy, the general secretary of the local Residents\u2019 Welfare Association (RWA), highlighted that the MCG’s waste bins are often overflowing or improperly positioned, rendering them ineffective. \u201cNo one wants to endure a constant odor, so we will resist the establishment of waste-processing facilities near our residences,\u201d he explained.<\/p>\n
Tripathy further pointed out that many RWAs, particularly those governed by the Haryana Shahari Vikas Pradhikaran (HSVP), lack the necessary resources to operate as BWGs without adequate support from the municipal authorities. \u201cEssential resources such as land, electricity, personnel, and infrastructure are critical. The policy states that urban local bodies will not provide funding but may offer other types of support. Why not manage waste processing at the ward level through a councillor instead of placing this burden on the RWAs?\u201d he questioned.<\/p>\n
Additionally, Tripathy raised concerns about the vague definition of \u201cpremises,\u201d questioning whether it encompasses non-gated communities and village or HSVP plots. He also noted the uncertainty surrounding user fees once BWGs are fully operational. \u201cAs RWAs, we are voluntary organizations and do not possess the authority to compel residents to segregate waste. Even installing bins could result in them being misused as dumping grounds. Residents are opposed to even minimal composting activities near their homes, let alone wet waste processing,\u201d he stated.<\/p>\n
Conversely, some residential societies have proven that decentralized waste management can be effective, albeit at a financial cost. The Suncity township, located near Golf Course Road and registered as a BWG, operates a biogas facility to handle wet waste, in addition to composting pits for horticultural waste.<\/p>\n
Kusum Sharma, chairperson of the RWA, shared that they invest Rs 45,000 monthly to maintain the biogas plant and an additional Rs 67,000 on composting for their 16 parks and nurseries. They also allocate Rs 93,000 each month for door-to-door waste collection, having processed 400,000 kg of wet waste in the past three years.<\/p>\n
Despite acknowledging that community bins often become dumping sites, Sharma mentioned that residents in Suncity prefer to store their waste at home until collection occurs.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, a high-rise community in East Gurgaon recently faced a notice from the Haryana State Pollution Control Board for failing to comply with BWG regulations, prompting demands for corrective actions regarding waste segregation and on-site processing.<\/p>\n
Residents of this high-rise expressed frustration over a lack of coordination among the various agencies within the MCG. \u201cWe lack clarity on the MCG’s handling of hazardous waste and the processes for recycling dry waste. Despite our compliance, we are being pressured while MCG conducts annual inspections. The pollution control board could have easily accessed the information they needed from the MCG portal,\u201d remarked a resident who wished to remain anonymous.<\/p>\n
This push for compliance stems from increased scrutiny by the MCG, which in February responded to directives from the National Green Tribunal (NGT) regarding illegal waste dumping in Haryana. The MCG announced that BWGs, along with institutions causing environmental harm, would incur fines of Rs 25,000 for the first offense and Rs 50,000 for subsequent violations. General littering would result in fines of Rs 5,000 for the initial offense and Rs 10,000 for the second.<\/p>\n
Authorized officers will impose these fines on the spot, and if fines are not paid, the amounts will be collected as land revenue arrears. The funds collected will be utilized by the MCG to enhance solid waste management and processing initiatives within the city.<\/p>\n
Between January 1 and February 3 of this year, 36 incidents of open garbage burning led to fines totaling Rs 180,000. Additionally, 57 penalties were issued for the improper disposal of construction and demolition waste, resulting in recoveries of Rs 1.3 million, along with Rs 160,000 in fines for littering in public spaces.<\/p>\n
Chaitali Mandhotra, co-convener of United Gurugram RWAs, which represents over 60 residents\u2019 associations, emphasized the importance of encouraging members to register as BWGs. \u201cRegistering as BWGs is beneficial for the environment, but older societies require assistance and support from the government. Even if a community organizes its finances, some level of maintenance must be provided by the government or civic body. Otherwise, we may only see paper registrations, with only 30% of waste actually processed,\u201d Mandhotra cautioned.<\/p>\n
MCG Additional Commissioner Ravinder Yadav stated that strict compliance would be enforced regarding the registration of sectors or societies as BWGs. \u201cWe are conducting awareness campaigns and will support RWAs, but adherence to the rules is essential,\u201d he affirmed.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Approximately six kilometers from the vibrant DLF Cyberhub in Sector 23A of Gurgaon, residents face a daunting daily reality marked by unpleasant sights and odors. The vicinity surrounding their homes in Carterpuri village is plagued by persistent littering. Homeowners in this area, where properties are valued at over Rs 3 crore, are unable to escape […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":3371,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[78,498,40],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3372","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-cities","category-delhi","category-india"],"yoast_head":"\n