The Municipal Corporation of Gurugram (MCG) has ramped up its enforcement against Bulk Waste Generators (BWGs) as part of its efforts to tackle escalating waste management problems. MCG officials conducted inspections at over ten residential societies in sectors 56 and 57, uncovering significant non-compliance with mandatory waste processing regulations.

Many of these bulk waste generators, classified under the Solid Waste Management (SWM) Rules, 2016, were found sending mixed waste directly to the Bandhwari landfill. This practice exacerbates the city's waste management challenges. Despite previous fines and warnings, these societies have continued to flout regulations, leading to further scrutiny by the MCG.

Kusum Sharma, a social activist from Suncity Township, expressed frustration over the lack of accountability among BWGs and their Residents Welfare Associations (RWAs). ?Many BWGs are failing to segregate waste at the source and instead hand over mixed garbage to waste vendors due to the lack of accountability and reluctance to bear the costs of proper waste management,? Sharma said.

Ruchika Sethi Takkar, from the collective Citizens For Clean and Why Waste Your Waste, criticized the MCG for not providing adequate infrastructure to support waste processing. ?The SWM Rules, 2016, mandate that municipal corporations facilitate the transport of segregated waste to processing facilities. Unfortunately, the MCG has not established necessary infrastructure like compost or biogas plants,? Takkar pointed out. She also noted that societies making an effort to process waste on-site lack support from the MCG, which undermines their incentive to continue.

MCG commissioner Narhari Singh Bangar revealed that since January, the MCG has issued 179 challans amounting to ?24.11 lakh against BWGs for non-compliance with SWM regulations. Unpaid fines will now be added to property tax bills. To further enforce compliance, the MCG plans to conduct zone-wise seminars to educate BWGs about their responsibilities and guide them on registering on the MCG?s online portal.

The MCG is also forming a special squad of retired army personnel to combat illegal waste dumping, installing CCTV cameras at secondary waste collection points, and reviewing the performance of waste management agencies. These measures aim to address the lapses in waste management practices and enhance Gurugram?s efforts towards effective waste management.