Residents of Baliawas, a village in Gurugram, have united in staunch opposition to the Municipal Corporation of Gurugram’s (MCG) proposal to establish a construction and demolition (C&D) waste processing site within their community. The rising tensions over this issue have led residents to threaten a blockade of the Gurgaon-Faridabad highway unless the MCG reconsiders its plan. Organised under the local panchayat, the residents have articulated their concerns, focusing on environmental and health risks associated with the proposed facility.
During a recent gathering, villagers expressed their fears regarding the potential mixing of solid waste with construction debris, which they argue could lead to unbearable odours and significant environmental degradation. One resident raised particular concerns about the proximity of the proposed site to the Aravalis, highlighting the lack of clarity surrounding the designated land for waste disposal. Another local voiced worries about the insufficient infrastructure at the site, predicting that the project could result in increased dust and air pollution. Such resistance is not isolated; it mirrors protests across other parts of Gurugram, notably in Daultabad, where residents have similarly mobilised against waste dumping plans. Currently, the only operational site for C&D waste disposal is in Basai, as public opposition has thwarted efforts to utilise other identified locations.
In response to the growing discontent, a spokesperson for the MCG acknowledged the residents’ concerns while emphasising the critical need for suitable waste disposal sites to manage Gurugram’s increasing waste output effectively. The spokesperson underscored the ongoing challenges in securing land allocations to address the substantial volumes of solid waste and construction debris generated within the city. The issue has gained traction at higher administrative levels, with directives aimed at expediting the removal of C&D waste from public areas in Gurugram.
