Society fails to segregate garbage, MCG leaves mixed waste at entrance

Unauthorised vehicles carrying mixed waste away from Uniworld Gardens -2 residential society in Sector 47 were intercepted on Tuesday by the staff of the Municipal Corporation of Gurugram (MCG) who made the trucks empty their load at the entrance of the society itself.

Officials said the society has not complied with the waste segregation rules despite repeated reminders. The action was taken after the teams spotted the vehicles dumping waste in open and vacant plots, said officials.

According to MCG, residential areas, hotels, restaurants, hospitals, commercial properties, educational institutions and government buildings producing over 50kg of waste daily are termed bulk waste generators (BWGs).

Officials said least 20 residential societies that are bulk waste generators have been identified as flouting rules and regulations and have been penalised since the past three months. These societies were fined for ₹25,000 each, officials said.

MCG joint commissioner Naresh Kumar said despite many reminders, many BWGs are still not adhering to the rules and regulations following which the teams are conducting surprise checks and helping them set up on-site composting, besides segregating waste into various categories such as dry and wet and sending recyclable items to MCG’s empanelled agencies.

Uniworld Gardens 2 were penalised three times since October and they were asked to set up compost pits on the premises, but the society is still not adhering to Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016. The society is also handing over waste to unauthorised waste collectors who are dumping the waste in the open or on vacant plots. We are facing challenges in streamlining waste management from several quarters, resulting in poor sanitation; several areas have turned into dump yards,” he said.

Praveen Kumar, estate manager of Uniworld Gardens 2, said they were not aware that the agency that is collecting their waste was unauthorised. “We have informed the senior officials and residents’ welfare association members and a meeting has been scheduled for Wednesday. The MCG staff left the waste in front of our gate and it was removed with the help of agency staff in another vehicle,” he said.

Jitender Kumar, sanitation inspector of MCG, said they have started taking action against societies from Tuesday. “If any other BWG is found flouting rules and regulations, waste will be dumped at their main entrance,” he said.

According to the data available with MCG, there are presently 630 BWGs of which 230 are following rules and have registered on the portal. “The teams are still collecting data of BWGs and a final list will be complied by January 20,” said Kumar.

Gurugram dumps around 100 tonnes of garbage at the Bandhwari landfill daily. At present, the landfill has around 2.5 million tonnes of legacy waste and is 37 metres tall, MCG officials said.

“It was decided in the meeting that the teams will probe whether the BWGs are adhering to the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016, or not. We will take stern action against BWGs not following the norms. It is mandatory for BWGs to process wet waste on their premises; dry waste should be recycled,” an MCG official said, asking not to be named.