In a significant move to address its persistent solid waste management challenges, the Municipal Corporation of Gurgaon (MCG) has initiated a process to hire four separate agencies for the collection and transportation of garbage across the city. This decision comes in the absence of a single, dedicated concessionaire for citywide operations.
Zone-Wise Strategy for Streamlined Operations
The civic body has decided to appoint one agency for each of Gurgaon's four zones. The total estimated cost for this exercise is Rs 6.65 crore. The financial allocation breaks down as Rs 1.4 crore for zone 1 and Rs 1.75 crore each for zones 2, 3, and 4.
An MCG official, speaking on the matter, stated, "We are going to hire four separate agencies, one for each zone. Our objective is to ensure residents do not face inconvenience and that waste management operations remain streamlined." The selected agencies will be responsible for deploying tractor-trolleys along with drivers and supporting staff. Sanitation work is mandated to be carried out all seven days of the week based on schedules fixed by the MCG.
GPS Monitoring and Agency Responsibilities
In a bid to ensure accountability and efficiency, all vehicles deployed under this contract will be GPS-enabled to allow real-time monitoring by the civic authorities. The tractor-trolleys will be used for lifting and transporting municipal solid waste, horticultural waste generated outside parks, and for other sanitation-related works across residential, commercial areas, and green belts.
The agencies will bear significant responsibilities, including:
- Proper management, upkeep, and safety of all deployed machinery.
- Compliance with inspections by MCG officials.
- Installation of GPS systems at their own cost.
- Bearing full responsibility for any damage, accident, or loss involving the vehicles, with no provision for additional payment beyond the approved contract.
Legacy Waste Processing Remains a Critical Challenge
While these interim arrangements for collection and transportation are being put in place, waste processing continues to be a major concern for Gurgaon. The process to appoint agencies for the crucial task of legacy waste remediation is yet to be completed.
This delay has drawn the attention of the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM). The commission recently flagged serious concerns over delays in municipal solid waste remediation and processing infrastructure in Haryana's NCR cities, specifically naming Gurgaon, Faridabad, and Sonipat. It called for urgent corrective measures to address the issue of open waste burning and its detrimental impact on air quality in the region.
Following a review, the CAQM observed that Haryana's progress in legacy waste remediation and the expansion of processing facilities is lagging behind set targets. It has directed MCG to finalise the tendering process for remediation of approximately 14 lakh metric tonnes of legacy waste by January 20, 2026, and to initiate biomining operations by March 31, 2026. This push is aimed at accelerating the clearance of old waste dumps, which are highly vulnerable to fires and harmful emissions.
The commission has stressed that effective municipal solid waste management is critical for improving air quality in the National Capital Region. It has urged urban local bodies in Haryana to move swiftly from planning to execution to avoid potential enforcement action and prevent further environmental damage.
