Gurugram Landfill Delay: Alternate Site Hunt Continues

Gurugram's Municipal Corporation (MCG) is facing significant delays in identifying an alternate site for the city's daily municipal waste disposal, despite a July 7 directive from the National Green Tribunal (NGT). The tribunal had ordered the MCG to submit a roadmap by August 4, outlining timelines for ending fresh dumping at the Bandhwari landfill and finding a new disposal location. However, tenders have been floated to continue transporting waste to Bandhwari, indicating that the current arrangement will persist until a new site is operational.

Officials stated that the search for a suitable government land parcel, complete with environmental clearances and multi-departmental approvals, is still underway. Balawas has emerged as the leading candidate among several explored locations. The MCG aims to expedite preparations at the new site within a week of finalization, but local opposition and the need to avoid environmentally sensitive zones have complicated the selection process.

The NGT is scheduled to hear the matter again on August 19. Petitioners have highlighted concerns regarding ongoing dumping at Bandhwari, which they argue undermines biomining efforts and contributes to pollution in the Aravalli region. Faridabad has already diverted its waste, while Gurugram's continued reliance on Bandhwari, which has faced scrutiny for years, remains a point of contention.