Construction waste plagues Faridabad as poor disposal, violations persist

The project for the disposal and processing of the construction and demolition waste (C&D) in the city has failed to take proper shape. The National Green Tribunal (NGT) had directed the civic authorities for a proper system in 2018.

While large volumes of the C and D waste can be seen piled up on sides of roads and in open areas, the work of disposal continues to remain in a poor shape resulting in polluted conditions. Though a contract has been awarded to an agency, the work is yet to gain momentum to meet the requirements as per the rules and regulations, say sources.

Failure of civic body

Describing it as a failure on the part of civic administration, a resident said tonnes of waste was disposed of in an unsafe manner each month with no agency to keep a check or regulate it.

Garbage dumped on roadside

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Heaps of waste can be seen dumped on sides of roads and green belts had made the problem a rising cause for concern. — Paras Bhardwaj, A resident

“Heaps of waste can be seen dumped on sides of roads and green belts had made the problem a rising cause for concern,” said Paras Bhardwaj, a resident.

Describing it as a failure on the part of civic administration, he said tonnes of waste was disposed of in an unsafe manner each month with no agency to keep a check or regulate it. “Dumping of the construction waste or rubble in the open has become a common sight,” said Narender Sirohi, a social activist.

Alleging a blatant violation of the norms regarding the disposal of all types of waste, he said this was not only hazardous to the environment, but also a danger to commuters.

Less than 10 per cent of the construction and demolition material was reaching the designated spot near Riwazpur village here where a small plant had come up on the around 5 acres allotted by the civic body three years ago, the sources said. However, it was also claimed that the work, which started a few months ago had been only at initial or primary stage as it involved only the grinding and crushing work and no byproducts were produced so far.

The civic body is to procure 60 per cent of the processed material from the contractor as per the agreement, it is revealed. “The plant or the machinery set up near the village has become only a source of air and noise pollution as only grinding work is done,” said Nahar Singh Chauhan, a village resident. The villagers had opposed the move due to the problem of pollution last year, it was added.

With the NGT having asked the civic authorities for action in its order, no major plant has come up even though four units had been proposed by the Faridabad Municipal Corporation (MCF) according to the sources. The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM), an agency of the Union Ministry of Environment, had also issued directions for the proper disposal of the construction and demolition waste. Birender Kardam, Chief Engineer, MCF, said while the work for the disposal and recycling of the C and D waste was on, efforts were on to make the project fully operational.