HYDERABAD: In a bid to tackle the growing issue of illegal dumping of construction and demolition (C&D) waste amid swift urban expansion, the state government has tightened regulations on construction activities across three municipal corporations in the central urban area.
As per the latest government order (GO), the state will restrict the issuance of No Objection Certificates (NOCs) and approvals for construction projects unless developers adhere to strict C&D waste management guidelines.
Under the new regulations, any approval for buildings, layouts, or demolition activities will require a mandatory undertaking against illegal dumping, proof of partnership with authorized C&D waste recyclers, a detailed waste management plan, and a waste utilization strategy.
The government has prohibited the disposal of C&D waste in open spaces, along roadways, in drains, water bodies, and other public areas within the jurisdictions of Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC), Cyberabad Municipal Corporation (CMC), and Malkajgiri Municipal Corporation (MMCs). Violators will face penalties.
Officials have stated that all C&D waste must be taken to authorized processing facilities exclusively. Disposal at unauthorized sites will be considered a severe infraction under these new rules. The GO places full responsibility for the collection, segregation, storage, transportation, processing, disposal, and environmentally sound utilization of C&D waste on the generators.
In a move towards promoting recycling and sustainable construction practices, the government has mandated the use of processed C&D waste in various sectors. Construction projects with a built-up area of 20,000 square meters or more, along with all road and infrastructure works, will be required to utilize processed C&D waste.
The recycled material is to be included in sub-base and base layers, non-structural concrete applications, paver blocks, curbs, tiles, backfilling, and landscaping efforts. Road projects will also need to incorporate recycled C&D waste in embankments, sub-grades, sub-base layers, shoulders, and medians.
The GO specifies that all permissions for road cutting within GHMC, CMC, and MMC limits will require an undertaking against illegal dumping and proof of partnership with authorized C&D waste recyclers. All commissioners, department heads, and nodal officers are tasked with enforcing these guidelines, and any lapses will be taken very seriously, as stated in the order.
