Haryana Chief Secretary, T.V.S.N Prasad, who is also Chairman of the Executive Committee of the State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA), said that due to the alarming levels of untreated waste in Gurugram that are adversely affecting the environment and public health, the State Government has declared a municipal solid waste exigency in Gurugram under Section 22 of the Disaster Management Act, 2005. SWEEP (Solid Waste Environment Exigency Program) has been initiated to address critical waste management issues.
He said that the SWEEP program, spearheaded by a high-level committee including the Divisional Commissioner, Deputy Commissioner, Municipal Commissioner, Chief Engineer of Gurugram Metropolitan Development Authority (GMDA), Senior Environmental Engineer of Haryana State Pollution Control Board, and the Deputy Commissioner of Police (HQ), aims to overhaul waste management in Gurugram.
This move comes in response to the Supreme Court’s order on May 13, 2024, and the National Green Tribunal’s (NGT) observations, which emphasised the urgent need for a cleaner environment as a fundamental right under Article 21 of the Constitution of India. The Supreme Court noted that untreated solid waste severely impacts the environment and infringes on citizens’ right to live in a pollution-free environment. He added that the NGT had previously described the situation as an environmental emergency, underscoring the need for more serious handling.
The three-tier plan
The Chief Secretary said that the committee is tasked with implementing a three-tier system for waste collection, segregation, transportation, processing, and disposal across all 35 Gurugram and GMDA wards.
Additional measures include establishing a 24×7 control room with a dedicated helpline for active monitoring, conducting a gap analysis of existing infrastructure, creating a GIS-based map for waste tracking, and developing a robust grievance redressal mechanism. The program also focuses on managing construction and demolition waste, ensuring adequate machinery for waste processing, instituting cleanliness awards, and launching an Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) plan to raise awareness.
Daily reports will be submitted to the State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA), and any order violations will be met with punitive measures per relevant laws. The SWEEP initiative will eventually be extended to other municipal areas in Haryana, demonstrating the government’s commitment to environmental preservation and public health.
Enforcement and Penalties
The Chief Secretary said any violation of this order will attract punitive provisions under the Disaster Management Act, 2005, the Municipal Corporation Act, 1994, and other applicable laws. Violations may result in fines or imprisonment per relevant Acts and regulations.
