Gurgaon jumps in cleanliness rankings, faces residents' waste concerns

Gurgaon jumps in cleanliness rankings, faces residents' waste concerns
  • Gurgaon improves cleanliness ranking, but source segregation remains low.
  • City achieves high waste processing rate, struggles with waste segregation.
  • Residents express skepticism despite improved ranking; RWAs seek control.

Gurgaon's significant improvement in the Swachh Survekshan 2024-25 rankings, jumping nearly 100 spots to 41st nationally and 7th in Haryana, presents a complex narrative of progress and persistent challenges. While the city has demonstrably improved its waste processing capabilities, achieving an impressive 98% rate, the stark contrast with its dismal 10% source segregation rate highlights a fundamental weakness in its waste management strategy. This disparity raises questions about the sustainability and effectiveness of the city's overall cleanliness efforts. The Swachh Survekshan, an annual assessment conducted by the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs under the Swachh Bharat Mission, evaluates urban local bodies on several key metrics, including door-to-door waste collection (D2D), source segregation, waste processing, and sanitation certifications. Gurgaon's performance in these areas paints a mixed picture, showcasing advancements in some aspects while exposing significant shortcomings in others. The city's Water+ certification, signifying advanced wastewater and sewage treatment and reuse systems, demonstrates a commitment to environmental standards in water management. However, the failure to achieve a Garbage-Free City (GFC) star rating, which requires comprehensive waste management encompassing segregation, processing, and elimination of open dumping, underscores the limitations of the current approach. The Municipal Corporation of Gurugram (MCG) acknowledges the need for improvement and expresses its commitment to further enhancing the city's cleanliness standards. A spokesperson stated that the city aims to achieve a top 10 ranking in future surveys with the help of residents. Mayor Rajrani Malhotra hailed the achievement as a reflection of the collective efforts of residents and the municipal team, urging continued public support to rank among the cleanest cities next year. She emphasized the importance of residents segregating waste, handing it over to municipal vehicles on time, avoiding littering public spaces, and promptly reporting cleanliness issues on the corporation’s portal or app. MCG Commissioner Pradeep Dahiya emphasized the teamwork involved in achieving the 41st rank, highlighting the contributions of elected representatives, sanitation workers, officials, and the public. He outlined the corporation's priorities for sustained efforts to ensure Gurgaon ranks among the top clean cities in the next survey, including improving waste disposal, increasing D2D collection, enhancing source segregation, developing green zones, and launching cleanliness awareness campaigns. Karnal secured the top spot as the cleanest city in Haryana, achieving a national ranking of three. The gap between Gurgaon's aspirations and the reality perceived by its residents is a significant concern. Despite the improved rankings, many residents express skepticism, citing the continued presence of garbage, construction and demolition waste, and open dumping throughout the city. Kusum Sharma, a member of the Residents Welfare Association (RWA) of Suncity, Sector 54, questioned the accuracy of the rankings, stating that she has seen no visible changes. She noted that segregation is primarily done by bulk waste generators and RWAs that can afford to charge user fees for the service. Chaitali Mandhotra, an Ardee City RWA member and convenor of the United Gurugram RWAs forum, Sector 52, expressed shock at the rankings, pointing out the prevalence of garbage dumped in the open. She suggested that the city's improvement seems improbable given the lack of widespread segregation and waste pickup, particularly in areas that do not pay for these services. These concerns highlight a disconnect between the official data and the lived experiences of residents, suggesting that the improvements reflected in the rankings may not be fully visible or equally distributed across the city. The residents' skepticism underscores the importance of addressing the underlying issues that contribute to the garbage problem, such as inadequate infrastructure for waste segregation and collection, lack of public awareness and participation, and insufficient enforcement of regulations. The call for greater RWA involvement in sanitation duties reflects a growing desire among residents to take ownership of the cleanliness of their neighborhoods. The proposed agreement for RWAs to take over these responsibilities, which received in-principle approval from the previous municipal commissioner, has yet to be formally implemented. Residents argue that the current policies do not adequately address the garbage issues, leading them to hire additional labor at their own expense. They contend that the existing policy only deals with the operation and maintenance of sanitation in sectors without specifying the number of laborers needed. In conclusion, while Gurgaon's improved ranking in the Swachh Survekshan is a positive development, it should not mask the persistent challenges related to waste management, particularly source segregation and open dumping. Addressing these issues requires a multi-faceted approach involving increased investment in infrastructure, enhanced public awareness campaigns, stricter enforcement of regulations, and greater collaboration between the municipal corporation and residents. The residents' skepticism highlights the importance of transparency and accountability in the city's cleanliness efforts. By addressing these challenges and fostering a greater sense of ownership among residents, Gurgaon can move closer to achieving its goal of becoming one of the cleanest cities in India.

To delve deeper into the intricacies of Gurgaon's waste management issues, it's crucial to understand the systemic challenges that contribute to the city's struggles with source segregation and efficient waste disposal. One of the primary obstacles is the lack of adequate infrastructure and resources dedicated to supporting proper waste segregation at the household and commercial levels. Many residents lack the necessary bins and containers to separate their waste into dry, wet, and hazardous categories, making it difficult for them to participate in the segregation process effectively. Furthermore, there is a lack of awareness and education among residents regarding the importance of source segregation and the proper methods for doing so. Many people are simply unaware of the environmental and economic benefits of segregating waste, or they may not know how to properly identify and separate different types of waste. Without a comprehensive public awareness campaign to educate residents on these issues, it will be difficult to achieve widespread adoption of source segregation practices. Another significant challenge is the lack of adequate enforcement of regulations related to waste management. While the municipal corporation may have rules in place requiring residents and businesses to segregate their waste, these rules are often not effectively enforced. This lack of enforcement can lead to a culture of non-compliance, where people are less likely to follow the rules if they know they are unlikely to be penalized for doing so. In addition to these systemic challenges, there are also issues related to the efficiency and effectiveness of the municipal corporation's waste collection and disposal services. The corporation's waste collection vehicles may not be equipped to handle segregated waste, leading to the mixing of different types of waste during collection and transportation. This mixing of waste undermines the efforts of those who do segregate their waste at the source, as the segregated waste is ultimately contaminated and cannot be properly recycled or processed. Furthermore, the city's waste disposal facilities may be inadequate to handle the volume of waste generated by the city, leading to open dumping and other environmentally damaging practices. To address these challenges, the municipal corporation needs to invest in improving its waste management infrastructure and services. This includes providing residents with the necessary bins and containers for source segregation, implementing a comprehensive public awareness campaign to educate residents on the importance of waste segregation, and strengthening the enforcement of regulations related to waste management. The corporation also needs to invest in upgrading its waste collection and disposal facilities to ensure that segregated waste is properly collected, transported, and processed. This may involve purchasing new waste collection vehicles equipped to handle segregated waste, building new waste processing and recycling facilities, and implementing stricter environmental standards for waste disposal. In addition to these investments, the municipal corporation also needs to foster greater collaboration with residents and other stakeholders to improve waste management practices. This includes working with RWAs to implement community-based waste management programs, partnering with businesses to promote waste reduction and recycling, and engaging with schools and other educational institutions to educate children about the importance of waste management. By working together, the municipal corporation, residents, businesses, and other stakeholders can create a more sustainable and efficient waste management system that benefits the entire community. The residents’ desire for greater RWA involvement in sanitation duties presents an opportunity to leverage community knowledge and resources to improve waste management practices. By empowering RWAs to take on a greater role in sanitation management, the municipal corporation can tap into the local expertise and resources of residents to address the specific waste management challenges faced by their communities. However, it is important to ensure that RWAs have the necessary resources and support to effectively manage sanitation duties. This includes providing RWAs with adequate funding, training, and equipment, as well as clear guidelines and regulations for waste management. It is also important to establish a system for monitoring and evaluating the performance of RWAs in managing sanitation duties, to ensure that they are meeting the required standards. By providing RWAs with the necessary resources and support, the municipal corporation can empower them to become effective partners in waste management and create a more sustainable and livable city for all residents.

Beyond the operational and infrastructural improvements needed, a significant shift in societal attitudes towards waste is paramount for Gurgaon to truly achieve its cleanliness goals. The perception of waste as a mere disposable byproduct needs to evolve into a recognition of its potential as a resource. This requires a multi-pronged approach that integrates education, incentives, and innovative solutions to foster a culture of waste reduction, reuse, and recycling. Education plays a crucial role in shaping individual behavior and promoting responsible waste management practices. Schools, community centers, and public campaigns should actively disseminate information about the environmental impact of waste, the benefits of segregation and recycling, and practical tips for reducing waste generation at the household and individual levels. Emphasizing the link between waste management and public health can also motivate people to adopt more sustainable practices. Incentivizing waste reduction and recycling can further encourage participation and create a positive feedback loop. This can involve offering financial rewards for recycling, providing discounts on municipal services for households that actively segregate their waste, or implementing deposit refund schemes for certain types of packaging. Gamification and friendly competition among neighborhoods can also be used to promote waste reduction and recycling in a fun and engaging way. Innovative solutions are also needed to address the challenges of waste management in a rapidly urbanizing city like Gurgaon. This can include exploring alternative waste treatment technologies, such as anaerobic digestion and waste-to-energy plants, which can convert waste into valuable resources while reducing landfill waste. Promoting the circular economy, where products are designed for reuse and recycling, can also help to minimize waste generation and conserve resources. The role of technology in improving waste management should not be overlooked. Smart bins that monitor fill levels and optimize collection routes, mobile apps that provide information about waste disposal and recycling, and data analytics that track waste generation patterns can all contribute to a more efficient and effective waste management system. Collaboration with the private sector is also essential for developing and implementing innovative waste management solutions. Businesses can play a key role in reducing waste through sustainable packaging practices, waste reduction initiatives, and recycling programs. Public-private partnerships can also be used to develop and operate waste treatment facilities and provide waste management services. The challenge of construction and demolition (C&D) waste, which is a significant contributor to the city's garbage problem, requires specific attention. Establishing designated C&D waste collection and processing facilities, enforcing regulations on illegal dumping, and promoting the reuse of C&D waste materials can help to mitigate the environmental impact of this type of waste. Engaging with construction companies and developers to promote sustainable construction practices and waste management plans can also contribute to reducing C&D waste generation. Finally, it is crucial to recognize the role of informal waste pickers in the waste management system. Integrating informal waste pickers into the formal waste management sector, providing them with training and equipment, and ensuring fair compensation for their services can not only improve their livelihoods but also contribute to a more efficient and sustainable waste management system. In conclusion, achieving a truly clean and sustainable city requires a holistic approach that goes beyond simply improving waste processing rates. It requires a fundamental shift in societal attitudes towards waste, a comprehensive and well-funded waste management strategy, the active engagement of residents, businesses, and the private sector, and the integration of innovative technologies and solutions. By addressing these challenges and fostering a culture of waste reduction, reuse, and recycling, Gurgaon can transform its waste management system and create a cleaner, healthier, and more sustainable environment for all its residents.

Source: Gurgaon 41st cleanest city, climbs nearly 100 spots in Swachh Sarvekshan 2024-’25 rankings

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