New Waste Management Plans for Gurgaon, Faridabad & Manesar Announced

September 16, 2025

4 min read

16 Sep 2025

Tackling the Garbage Crisis Head-On

Solid waste management has long been one of the most pressing challenges in Haryana’s urban landscape. From overflowing dumps to inefficient collection systems, residents of Gurgaon, Faridabad, and Manesar have frequently voiced concerns about civic hygiene and environmental health. Responding to this growing discontent, Haryana’s Urban Local Bodies (ULB) Minister Vipul Goel has announced a city-specific waste management blueprint, abandoning the earlier one-size-fits-all approach.

This marks a significant shift in urban planning policy. Each city—Gurgaon, Faridabad, and Manesar—will now have its own Request for Proposal (RFP) tailored to its population density, waste generation profile, and logistical challenges.

Why the Change?

For years, Haryana relied on statewide waste management contracts. This led to inefficiencies because:

Different waste volumes: Gurgaon produces far more e-waste and commercial garbage, while Faridabad has higher industrial and construction waste.
Logistical variations: Manesar, being an industrial hub, requires specialized handling of hazardous byproducts.
Localized failures: Centralized contracts often led to delayed payments, lack of accountability, and poor service delivery.

The Bandhwari landfill crisis, which became symbolic of Haryana’s waste woes, exposed the flaws of centralized planning. Piles of untreated waste caught fire repeatedly, causing toxic fumes and triggering public health scares.

Key Features of the New Plan

Separate RFPs: Each city will design and float its own RFPs, ensuring contractors are chosen based on local needs.
Door-to-Door Collection: A structured plan for consistent collection across RWAs, slums, and industrial clusters.
Community Involvement: RWAs and citizen groups will review proposals and provide feedback.
Timely Payments: Contractors will be assured of payments to avoid service interruptions.
Vendor Oversight: Regular audits, performance checks, and penalties for non-compliance.

Role of RWAs and Citizens

For perhaps the first time, Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs) are being formally integrated into the planning process. Citizens will be consulted on:

Preferred collection timings.
Segregation at source (wet/dry waste).
Monitoring contractor performance.

This participatory model could become a template for urban governance, making citizens stakeholders rather than passive recipients.

Environmental and Health Impact

Studies suggest that improved waste management has cascading benefits:

Health: Reduces risk of vector-borne diseases like dengue, malaria, and cholera.
Air Quality: Minimizes landfill fires that emit toxic gases.
Water Safety: Prevents leachate from polluting groundwater.
Climate: Contributes to reduced methane emissions, aligning with India’s climate commitments.

Challenges Ahead

Despite the ambitious plan, execution remains the biggest hurdle. Experts warn of:

Capacity Building: Municipal staff need training to manage new systems.
Corruption Risks: Waste contracts have historically been prone to graft.
Public Cooperation: Without active segregation by citizens, even the best systems fail.
Landfill Legacy: Bandhwari and other dumpsites need scientific remediation, not just new plans.

Minister’s Assurances

ULB Minister Vipul Goel has promised that this initiative will be “more inclusive, transparent, and accountable.” He emphasized:

“We cannot build smart cities on a foundation of waste. Every city will have a plan tailored to its needs, and citizens will have a voice in shaping it.”

This statement reflects a broader shift toward decentralization in Haryana’s urban governance model.

Broader Context: Urban India’s Waste Problem

India generates 62 million tonnes of waste annually, of which nearly 45 million tonnes remain untreated. Urban India faces a dual challenge: rising consumption and outdated waste infrastructure. Gurgaon, Faridabad, and Manesar’s experiment with decentralized, city-specific models could offer lessons for other Indian metros.

Expert Opinions

Dr. Nidhi Sharma, Environmentalist:

“This is a much-needed step, but success will depend on citizen behavior. Unless households segregate waste, contractors will struggle.”

Urban Planner Rohit Kapoor:

“City-specific RFPs make sense. Gurgaon’s e-waste and Faridabad’s industrial waste cannot be treated the same way.”

Global Comparisons

Several countries have successfully implemented decentralized waste solutions:

Japan: Localized waste collection and strict segregation laws have led to near-zero waste in some towns.
Germany: Decentralized recycling plants keep waste miles low and efficiency high.
Philippines: Community-driven composting models have reduced landfill dependence.

Haryana’s new model borrows from these examples while tailoring them to Indian realities.

Conclusion: A Step in the Right Direction

Haryana’s decision to introduce city-specific waste management plans for Gurgaon, Faridabad, and Manesar is a progressive and pragmatic move. By involving citizens, ensuring contractor accountability, and decentralizing decision-making, the initiative has the potential to transform civic hygiene and environmental sustainability in the state.

The real test, however, will lie in implementation and public cooperation. If successful, it could set a national precedent for waste management reform in India.

#SolidWaste #Haryana #Gurgaon #Faridabad #UrbanPlanning #Environment #LocalGovernance #SmartCity