State PCS - Haryana (HCS)

• 23 Apr 2025

Waste Management in Gurugram

Why in News? 

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has reprimanded the municipal corporations of Gurugram and Faridabad for their gross mismanagement of waste at the Bandhwari landfill in Gurugram. 

 Key Points 

• NGT Order to HSPCB:  
  • The NGT directed the Haryana State Pollution Control Board (HSPCB) to submit a fresh affidavit within six weeks. 
  • The affidavit must disclose details of the levy and recovery of environmental compensation from the municipal corporations of Gurugram and Faridabad. 
• Inconsistent Planning on Waste Management: 
  • The NGT criticised the lack of a consistent plan by the municipal corporations for setting up waste processing facilities. 
  • It noted that the Municipal Corporation of Gurugram had earlier proposed a waste-to-energy plant, but has shifted focus to a torrefied charcoal facility, expected to be commissioned by 2027. 
• Waste Accumulation Continues at Bandhwari: 
  • The tribunal observed a rise in waste at the Bandhwari landfill. 
    • The presence of 8.84 lakh metric tonnes (MT) of unprocessed waste was recorded in Gurugram on 1 December 2024, which increased to 11.32 lakh MT by 31 March 2025. 

Torrefaction  

• It is a thermal process to convert biomass into a coal-like material, which has better fuel characteristics than the original biomass. 
• The process involves heating up straw, grass, sawmill residue and wood biomass to 250 degrees celsius - 350 degrees celsius. 
• This changes the elements of the biomass into ‘coal-like’ pellets. These pellets can be used for combustion along with coal for industrial applications like steel and cement production. 

 Haryana State Pollution Control Board 

• It was formed as a statutory organisation by Government of Haryana in the year 1974 to preserve the wholesomeness of water and prevent water pollution after Government of India legislation of Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974.