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Delhi's Construction Waste Recycling Efforts Fall Short of Targets
14 Oct
Summary
- Only 4% of construction waste recycled in Delhi this year
- Target revised down from 16 lakh MT to 9.8 lakh MT
- Proper waste management could reduce dust pollution
As of October 15, 2025, Delhi's Municipal Corporation has struggled to effectively reuse construction and demolition (C&D) waste, with only 4% of such waste being utilized this year. This is a significant shortfall compared to the Union Housing and Urban Affairs Ministry's (MoHUA) previous target of 16 lakh metric tons (MT) for 2024-25, of which just over 14% was utilized.
In an effort to address the issue, the MoHUA has revised the target for this year to 9.8 lakh MT, with the focus now on ensuring compliance. Delhi Urban Development Minister Ashish Sood acknowledged the lapses, stating that the government would strictly enforce the use of recycled C&D waste in all construction projects.
Despite the extensive infrastructure work being carried out in the city, the use of recycled materials remains far below its potential. Delhi generates around 5,500-6,000 MT of construction waste daily, which is processed at four plants with a combined capacity of 5,000 tonnes. However, demand from government departments and contractors remains limited.
To improve the situation, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) has proposed a new C&D waste recycling plant at Okhla, which is expected to be commissioned by December 2026. The civic body has also identified 106 designated waste dumping sites for the general public and made it mandatory for bulk waste generators to take waste directly to processing plants.
