Massive Bandhwari Dumpsite Raises Concerns as Residents Await Government Action
Residents of Bandhwari village, located on the Gurugram-Faridabad border, are once again seeing politicians visit the towering landfill site ahead of elections. These visits, which many locals describe as “photo-ops,” come with grand promises that rarely materialize. Since its establishment in 2010, the Bandhwari dumpsite has evolved into one of the largest waste repositories in India, receiving more than 2,000 tonnes of mixed waste daily from Gurugram and Faridabad. However, waste management in the area remains grossly inadequate, with only a fraction of the waste processed.
Villagers have been vocal about the ongoing health hazards. “It’s become unbearable during the summer and monsoon seasons. When the wind blows, we can’t even breathe,” shares Sumit Rawat, a local resident. The contamination has also spread to the water supply, making groundwater unsafe for basic needs like bathing and drinking. The waste seeps into nearby valleys and abandoned mines, exacerbating the environmental crisis.
While both the BJP and Congress have highlighted the dumpsite issue in their election manifestos, the locals remain skeptical. The promises made during election campaigns have rarely led to any concrete change, leaving the community to bear the brunt of this ecological disaster.
Despite the frustration, there seems to be some hope. The Haryana government recently submitted a plan to the National Green Tribunal, pledging to clear all legacy waste from the site by December 31. Municipal Corporation of Gurugram (MCG) Commissioner Narhari Singh Bangar also noted that the landfill’s height had been reduced from 50 meters to less than 23 meters in the past two years. Whether this commitment will finally offer relief to the residents of Bandhwari remains to be seen.
