Gurugram’s garbage woes take centre stage in civic polls

As Gurugram prepares to elect its civic representatives after a 27-month hiatus, the waste management crisis — a key issue in the last election — continues to plague the city. With 36 wards comprising villages, builder colonies and HSVP sectors, garbage disposal and sanitation have emerged as major concerns in over 20 wards, making it a central election issue.

The problem is most severe in rural areas, particularly in Ward 20, home to Bandhwari village, which hosts the city’s infamous landfill site. Every day, over 1,200 metric tonnes of waste is dumped here, leading to severe health and environmental hazards. Though the Municipal Corporation Gurugram (MCG) has deployed vendors for legacy waste treatment, progress has been slow, leaving garbage scattered across the ward, with residents battling stench, pollution and health risks.

"Garbage defines our lives. It dictates everything — where we get water, when we sit outside, even if we let cattle roam freely. Now, it will decide who we elect," said Rajesh Kumar, a former panchayat member of Bandhwari. "Our village has suffered ever since we were included in MCG. They misuse our land as a dump yard."

The crisis extends beyond villages, affecting residential societies and upscale localities. Vaishali Rana Chandra, a local resident and environmentalist, expressed frustration over air and water pollution caused by Bandhwari landfill fires and leachate runoff. "People bought homes worth crores to be closer to nature and the Aravallis. Instead, they got a garbage mountain view, toxic leachate lakes and dying wildlife," she said.

Other wards facing similar waste management challenges include Ward 1 (Sikanderpur Ghosi village), open dumpyard at the city’s entrance, frequently overrun with stray cattle; Wards 10 & 11 (Khandsa Mandi, Pace City, Hans Enclave) struggle with irregular garbage collection; Ward 25 (HSVP sectors, including Sector 17) faces illegal dumping and commercial encroachment.

“We have a major problem with garbage dumping by local market vendors and illegal usage of residential units for commercial uses. It’s after almost two years that we are getting civic representatives and we will look for somebody who has a resolution to offer,” said Rakesh Jinsi, president, RWA, Sector 17 A.

With residents demanding accountability, the garbage crisis has become a political flashpoint. Congress leader Pankaj Dawar while talking to The Tribune accused the ruling party of turning Gurugram into ‘Kudagram’ (Garbage City). "Not just 20, but all 36 wards suffer from waste mismanagement. Our campaign will focus on exposing how the BJP failed the city," he said.