Bandhwari Landfill: The Final Push – 10 Months to Freedom

A monumental environmental challenge facing Gurugram is finally nearing its resolution, as Haryana Urban Local Bodies (ULB) Minister Dr. Kamal Gupta has declared an ambitious target: the complete clearance of the notorious Bandhwari landfill within a mere 10 months. This bold commitment brings a beacon of hope to a region grappling with mountains of accumulated waste, promising a significant step towards a cleaner, greener future.

The Bandhwari site, which has long been a blight on the landscape and a severe environmental concern, currently holds an staggering 33 lakh metric tonnes (LMT) of legacy waste.

In addition to this colossal backlog, the landfill continues to receive approximately 1,600 tonnes of fresh municipal solid waste daily from both Gurugram and Faridabad. This dual challenge of historical accumulation and ongoing generation has made the Bandhwari landfill a symbol of urban waste management struggles for over a decade.

However, significant strides have already been made.

Minister Gupta highlighted that substantial bioremediation work is actively underway, with an impressive 13 LMT of legacy waste having already been processed. This ongoing effort has laid the groundwork for the accelerated clearance plan. The strategy involves not just continued bioremediation but also the deployment of advanced technology.

Plans are in motion to install a new series of trommel machines and a dedicated processing plant at the site. These machines are crucial for segregating the mixed waste into its various components, making further processing more efficient and effective.

The initiative is a collaborative effort, with the Gurugram Metropolitan Development Authority (GMDA) and the Municipal Corporation of Gurugram (MCG) working in tandem to execute this massive undertaking.

The goal is clear: to transform the waste into valuable resources. The processed material will be converted into Refuse Derived Fuel (RDF) which can be used in waste-to-energy plants, a soil improver for agricultural purposes, and inert material suitable for construction. This circular economy approach not only solves the waste problem but also creates beneficial by-products.

This commitment follows years of public outcry and interventions from environmental bodies, including the National Green Tribunal (NGT), which has repeatedly directed authorities to address the environmental hazards posed by the landfill.

The leachate seeping into the ground, the air pollution from methane emissions, and the overall degradation of the Aravalli ecosystem have been pressing concerns for residents and environmentalists alike.

With a clear timeline and a robust plan involving modern waste processing techniques, the announcement by Dr.

Kamal Gupta marks a pivotal moment. The next 10 months will be critical, as Gurugram embarks on an intensive mission to reclaim its environment from decades of accumulated refuse. The successful clearance of the Bandhwari landfill will not only alleviate immediate environmental threats but also set a precedent for sustainable waste management practices across the region, fostering a healthier and more livable urban environment for all its citizens.