The Municipal Corporation of Gurugram (MCG) is all set to tackle the massive mountain of garbage at the Bandhwari landfill. Starting February 20, 2026, the first phase of waste processing will begin using heavy-duty trommel machines. The Haryana government has approved a budget of approximately ₹126 crore for this specific project, aiming to remove 16 lakh metric tonnes of legacy waste within a strict 12-month deadline.
How will the legacy waste be processed at Bandhwari?
Two specialized agencies have been hired to handle the massive cleanup operation. MKG Green Energy Private Limited will start operations on February 20 with 12 trommel machines. By March 15, 2026, a second agency, Daya Charan and Company, will join the site, bringing the total number of machines to 24. These machines will separate the waste into Refuse-Derived Fuel (RDF), organic waste, and inert materials as per the Solid Waste Management Rules 2016.
The agencies are required to send the RDF to paper mills or waste-to-energy plants. To ensure transparency, they must provide disposal certificates to the MCG. The government has fixed the processing rate at ₹900 per metric tonne. To keep the work on track, the MCG has held a bank guarantee of 5% of the project cost, which will be used as a penalty if monthly targets are not met.
What are the main challenges for this project?
While the legacy waste is being cleared, the site continues to face pressure from fresh garbage arriving daily. Currently, Gurugram sends about 1,200 tonnes and Faridabad sends 1,000 tonnes of waste every day. This daily inflow of 2,200 tonnes adds up to 66,000 tonnes per month, which often offsets the progress made in clearing old waste.
| Project Component | Official Figure/Detail |
|---|---|
| Total Legacy Waste | 16 Lakh Metric Tonnes |
| Total Project Budget | ₹126 Crore |
| Processing Machines | 24 Trommel Machines |
| Processing Rate | ₹900 per Metric Tonne |
| Daily Waste Inflow | 2,200 Tonnes (GGM + FBD) |
| Final Deadline | March 2027 |
To address the ongoing crisis, MCG officials led by Commissioner Pradeep Dahiya conducted a final inspection of the site today. Parallel efforts are also underway to set up a green coal plant in Manesar to divert fresh waste. Meanwhile, the Haryana State Pollution Control Board has started a fresh audit to monitor leachate management and protect the groundwater in surrounding villages from further contamination.
