Bandhwari landfill: Fine on Gurugram MC Rs 6.3 cr since 2020

The Haryana State Pollution Control Board (HSPCB) has imposed a penalty of Rs 6.3 crore on the Municipal Corporation, Gurugram, for the Bandhwari landfill site since 2020. Besides, the board has filed two prosecution cases against the MC before the District and Sessions Judge under the Environment Protection Act and the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, respectively.

The facts came to light in submissions of the HSPCB before the National Green Tribunal (NGT) in a case related to the Bandhwari site.

The Regional Officer of the HSPCB, Gurugram Region (North), submitted before the NGT that the environmental compensation had been imposed on the MC at the rate of Rs 10 lakh per month since April 2020 till June 2025 in compliance with the orders of the tribunal. The MC has been failing to comply with the Solid Waste Management Rules at Bandhwari.

The MC has deposited a fine of Rs 2.80 crore so far.

The cases against the MC are listed for issuance of notices. The case filed under the Environmental Protection Act is listed for February 2, 2026, in the court, and the one under the Air Act is listed for December 11, 2025.

Meanwhile, the processing of legacy waste at the site has been stalled again, with firms hired for the purpose having been fired. The MC has imposed a fine of Rs 9.02 crore on them for delays.

The deadline given to the firm was July 3. However, the actual progress was about 2.31 lakh MT of 14 lakh MT, a mere 16.5 per cent. “This was significantly below expected benchmarks, and despite repeated notices, both failed to mobilise sufficient resources and complete the work. The cumulative progress was far short of contractual expectations," submitted the MC Commissioner, Pradeep Dahiya, in his affidavit before the NGT.

The MC has now sent a new proposal to the Director, Urban Local Bodies Department, for the processing of 14 lakh MT legacy waste.

As per the new action plan submitted before the NGT for processing the legacy waste, the tentative date for approval of the proposal from the headquarters is August 20, and by August 25, the tender will be floated. The bid could be opened on September 20, and the technical evaluation will be completed by September 27. The letter of intent could be issued by November 3, and the agreement signing could take place by November 20.

The work can start by January 20, 2026, and at the rate of processing of 80,000 MT to 1 lakh MT waste per month, the entire job would be completed by February 2028, the Commissioner stated.

For fresh waste, the MC submitted that tenders could be floated by August 25.