KOLKATA: The Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) is intensifying its approach to monitor the illegal dumping of construction materials on roadways, which contributes to severe waterlogging across the city. From now on, developers working on buildings will be mandated to store construction materials on the ground floor of any new structures immediately post-construction; non-compliance will result in a stop-work order from the authorities.
KMC Mayor Firhad Hakim stated on Friday that construction materials need to be stored appropriately on-site. He directed building department officials to issue stop-work notices if materials such as sand, cement, or bricks are found abandoned on public roads near construction sites.
This directive came after a complaint from Ratna Pal, a resident of Kankurgachi, during the ‘Talk to Mayor’ event. She expressed concerns about materials being dumped on the road, causing flooding in her neighborhood, Shib Krishna Daw Lane. In response, Hakim requested officials to inspect construction sites and ensure proper handling of materials.
According to KMC’s existing regulations regarding construction and demolition (C&D) waste, developers are required to manage waste within their premises and either load it onto KMC’s waste collection vehicles or deposit it at designated collection sites. Authorities have observed that in many instances, developers have illegally discarded C&D waste along roadways or in vacant lots during nighttime.
The issue of improper C&D waste disposal is not limited to Kolkata; it also affects nearby New Town, which is experiencing rapid development. The New Town Kolkata Development Authority (NKDA) is set to introduce a year-round solution for effective C&D waste management, anticipated to launch in August. Residents will have the ability to report improperly disposed waste for prompt cleanup.
Officials disclosed that a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) is already in effect, which stipulates that building plans for under-construction projects in New Town will not be approved unless developers submit a management plan detailing the storage of materials and waste disposal strategies during construction.
