59 landowners face FIRs for renting out space for illegal waste storage

Landowners in Bahadurgarh town here have been renting out their properties for storage and segregation of industrial, plastic and rubber waste, raising concerns about air quality and fire hazards. In some cases, the land has also been used to operate illegal plastic reprocessing units.

In a major crackdown, the Bahadurgarh Municipal Council (MC) has written to the Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Bahadurgarh seeking registration of cases against 59 landowners involved in such illegal activities.

Confirming the development, Arun Nandal, executive officer of the MC, said several illegal plastic waste storage units were recently identified in the Chhotu Ram Nagar locality.

“The names of the landowners were verified from revenue records before sending the letter to the police for FIR registration. A joint inspection, conducted with local officials from the Haryana State Pollution Control Board, found the presence of industrial waste at several locations there. The Regional Officer of the board has been requested to coordinate with authorities concerned to remove the industrial waste from these sites,” Nandal added.

“Today, Bahadurgarh is considered one of the most polluted towns in the state, with industrial emissions, road dust, and illegal PVC markets being major contributors. Despite repeated orders from district authorities for banning the illegal PVC market in the district, these units continue to operate without any fear at many locations,” said a local official, speaking on condition of anonymity.

He said, “In the illegal PVC market, plastic waste is cut, sorted and washed, causing microplastic particles to mix with air, water and dust, thereby polluting the environment. The situation is expected to improve significantly after the registration of FIRs against 59 individuals who have rented out their properties for such illegal activities.”