GURUGRAM: Delhi-NCR is moving towards a system that mandates traceability of every kilogram of construction and demolition (C&D) waste.
Starting April 1, individuals involved in construction, renovation, or demolition on sites of 200 sq meters or more in Gurgaon must document the disposal of their waste, as per new guidelines from the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM).
In a significant shift, demolition waste must now be reported twice: once before construction starts and again before a building can be occupied.
The longstanding practice of dumping debris along roadsides, vacant lots, or forest edges will no longer be tolerated.
Builders and homeowners are required to estimate the quantity of debris their projects will generate during the plan-approval phase. An official from the Haryana State Pollution Control Board (HSPCB) stated, “If demolition is part of the project, the waste must be delivered to an authorized C&D collection or processing facility and a formal receipt provided. This receipt will be essential for both initiating construction and obtaining completion and occupancy certificates. Even if a structure is complete, without this paperwork, it cannot be occupied legally.”
These new requirements also impose significant duties on government agencies. To ensure compliance, CAQM has directed that there be at least one authorized C&D waste collection point in every 5km by 5km grid of the city.
This necessitates that the MCG and other development authorities identify suitable locations, notify them, and establish the required infrastructure for regular collection, storage, and processing. The presence of designated drop-off facilities in every grid effectively eliminates excuses for dumping waste in public spaces.
The new directions also redefine the responsibilities of municipal bodies. They are now tasked with ensuring environmentally sound transportation and disposal of debris, which includes verifying transport routes, preventing trucks from diverting loads to unauthorized locations, and ensuring that waste reaches the designated facilities.
Anumita Roychowdhury, Executive Director at the Centre for Science and Environment, remarked, “Construction and demolition dust is a continuous source of particulate pollution in cities like Gurgaon, but enforcement has been ineffective due to fragmented responsibilities. Linking waste disposal to building approvals and completion certificates is vital as it establishes clear accountability for local authorities and builders.”
To enhance oversight across the NCR, a digital tracking system will be developed collaboratively by the Haryana and Delhi governments. This system will utilize geo-tagged waste collection points and GPS tracking for vehicles transporting debris.
Each trip will create a digital record, detailing the source plot and the facility where the debris is deposited. Any missing waste, route deviations, or gaps can be identified in real time, making clandestine disposal challenging.
For a city where construction debris has historically cluttered highways, drains, and the Aravali foothills, the responsibility to address these issues now lies with civic systems.
Oversight and enforcement will primarily fall to HSPCB, which will monitor whether waste collection points and processing facilities are operational, adhere to environmental standards for dust and runoff management, and handle debris according to regulations.
The HSPCB official stated, “We will have the authority to take action against illegal dumping, including issuing notices and imposing environmental compensation. Furthermore, C&D processing plants will be subject to our inspection regime, ensuring they comply with air and water pollution standards.”
