Gurgaon Residents Rally Against Proposed C&D Waste Processing Plants
Residents of the newly developed sectors along the Dwarka Expressway in Gurgaon have launched a strong protest against the Municipal Corporation of Gurugram's (MCG) proposal to establish two construction and demolition (C&D) waste processing plants. On Monday, they formally submitted a letter to the MCG commissioner, demanding the immediate withdrawal of plans to set up these facilities in sectors 103 and 106. The residents argue that the decision blatantly ignores established urban planning norms and poses significant risks to public health.
Demand for Relocation and Escalation Threats
The community is insisting that the C&D waste facilities be relocated away from residential clusters to prevent adverse impacts on air quality and living conditions. They have warned that if the civic body proceeds without reconsidering the proposal, they will escalate the issue through further actions. The MCG has identified two sites for these plants: one in the Babupur area of Sector 106 and another in the Daultabad area of Sector 103. Fencing work has already commenced at the Sector 106 site, which has galvanized residents to organize and rally against the corporation.
Current Waste Management and Capacity Issues
Currently, Gurgaon has only one operational C&D waste processing facility located in Basai, which can handle up to 1,200 metric tonnes (MT) of construction waste daily. However, the city generates between 1,500 and 2,000 tonnes of C&D waste each day, highlighting a significant shortfall in processing capacity. This gap underscores the need for additional facilities but has sparked controversy over their placement.
Residents' Health and Environmental Concerns
In their letter, the Dwarka Expressway Gurugram Development Association (DXP-GDA) emphasized that the proposed sites are situated dangerously close to residential zones, threatening the well-being of thousands of families. Sunny Daultabad, convener of DXP-GDA, stated, "We strongly oppose the proposed sites, which fall within residential zones and will severely impact public health, air quality and the overall living environment of thousands of families." The association pointed out that waste storage or processing facilities are not permissible in residential areas under standard urban planning and environmental regulations.
Past Experiences Fueling Opposition
Residents expressed deep concern based on their observations of the existing C&D processing facility opposite Sector 102. They allege that this site has devolved into an unmanaged debris heap, generating substantial dust pollution that affects nearby housing societies. Instead of operating as a controlled processing unit, it functions more like an open dumping yard with minimal oversight. Sunil Sareen, deputy convener of DXP-GDA, remarked, "MCG assured us that it would be a proper processing plant. Today, it looks like a debris mound." This experience has heightened fears about the new proposals.
MCG's Response and Broader Implications
An MCG official responded to the protests by questioning, "Where would the construction waste go if residents protest at each of these sites?" This statement highlights the ongoing challenge of balancing waste management needs with community concerns. The residents moved into these new sectors expecting planned infrastructure and a healthy living environment, making this issue a critical test for municipal governance and public engagement in Gurgaon.
