**Executive Summary**
This document is the answer to an unstarred question in Lok Sabha regarding the leak of toxic leachate from the Bandhwari Landfill in Gurugram. It outlines actions taken according to the Solid Waste Management Rules (SWM), 2016, including mandates for local bodies to investigate and remediate dumpsites. The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs has allocated funds for waste processing facilities and legacy waste remediation. The question was scheduled to be answered on December 8, 2025.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Solid Waste Management Rules (SWM), 2016:**
* Local bodies are mandated to investigate and analyze old open and operational dumpsites for bio-mining and bio-remediation potential.
* Actions must be taken to bio-mine or bio-remediate these sites.
* **Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB):**
* CPCB has issued guidelines for the disposal of legacy waste.
* CPCB has issued directions under Section 5 of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, to State Pollution Control Boards/Pollution Control Committees to enforce SWM Rules, 2016 regarding bio-mining of legacy waste.
* CPCB issued directions regarding bio-mining of legacy waste on 27.01.2021 and for fire prevention at dumpsites on dated 26.5.2022 to all SPCBs/PCCs
* **Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs:**
* Allocated Rs. 10,930.12 crores under the Solid Waste Management (SWM) component of SBM (U) 2.0.
* Funds are to be used by States/UTs for setting up waste processing facilities for municipal solid waste and for remediation of legacy waste dumpsites.
* **Bandhwari Landfill:**
* The waste disposal site has been in operation for 13 years.
* Initial waste volume was 44 Lakh Metric Tonnes (MT) covering 30 acres, with a height of 41 meters.
* Bio-mining is underway, reducing the height to 19 meters with a waste volume of around 14 Lakhs MT.
* Leachate analysis by CPCB showed excess levels of physico-chemical parameters as per SWM Rules, 2016.
* Leachate is collected in HDPE lined ponds and transported to Gurugram Metropolitan Development Authority’s 120 MLD capacity Sewage Treatment Plant (STP).
* Groundwater samples collected by CPCB from 13 locations near the dumpsite showed physico-chemical parameters within the limits of SWM Rules, 2016.
* **Legacy Waste Disposal Guidelines:**
* Prepared by CPCB, including provisions for bio-mining of legacy waste under SWM Rules, 2016.
* Detailed methodology and process of bioremediation and bio-mining included.
* Guidelines ensure local authorities follow procedures including analysis of screened fractions (RDF, fine earth), plans for utilization/disposal of screened fractions, and adequate leachate treatment.
* Other aspects include process, space, and leachate management, fire and safety control, and use of recovered space.
**Impact Analysis**
**Local Bodies**
* **Impact:** Required to investigate and analyse old open dumpsites and existing operational dumpsites for bio-mining and bio-remediation potential, and undertake necessary actions to remediate sites.
* **Action Required:** Follow the guidelines issued by CPCB for disposal of legacy waste and bio-mining procedures.
**State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs) / Pollution Control Committees (PCCs)**
* **Impact:** Responsible for enforcing the provisions of the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016 regarding bio-mining of legacy waste.
* **Action Required:** Enforce the provisions of the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016 regarding bio-mining of legacy waste and follow the directions issued by CPCB regarding bio-mining of legacy waste on 27.01.2021 and for fire prevention at dumpsites on dated 26.5.2022.
**States/UTs**
* **Impact:** States and UTs must use the Central Government share to set up waste processing facilities for scientific management of municipal solid waste and for the remediation of legacy waste dumpsites.
* **Action Required:** Utilize allocated funds to establish waste processing facilities and remediate legacy waste dumpsites.
Key Entities Referenced
Solid Waste Management Rules (SWM), 2016: Governs the management of solid waste and mandates local bodies to address old dumpsites.
Section 5 of Environment (Protection) Act, 1986: Legal provision used by CPCB to issue directions for enforcement of Solid Waste Management Rules.
Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB): Responsible for issuing guidelines and directions regarding disposal of legacy waste and enforcement of SWM Rules.
Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs: Allocated funds for Solid Waste Management under SBM (U) 2.0 for waste processing and remediation.
Bandhwari Landfill: Specific location of toxic leachate issue in Gurugram; primary subject of the question.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1298
TO BE ANSWERED ON 08.12.2025
Leak of Toxic Leachate from Bandhwari Landfill
1298. SHRI DEEPENDER SINGH HOODA:
Will the Minister of ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE be pleased to
state:
(a) the details of toxic leachate from the Bandhwari landfill in Gurugram that has been found
seeping into surrounding areas and contaminating groundwater, including studies on its
impact on soil, water and public health;
(b) whether the Government proposes to fix accountability on the agencies responsible for
such mismanagement;
(c) the total loss caused to agriculture, environment and public health due to the said seepage,
its assessed monetary value, the compensation already provided to affected persons and
the time period within which the remaining compensation will be disbursed; and;
(d) the steps being taken to ensure immediate containment of leachate, installation of treatment
facilities and long-term scientific remediation of the site?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND
CLIMATE CHANGE
(SHRI KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH)
(a) to (d): As per Solid Waste Management Rules (SWM), 2016, local bodies are
mandated to investigate and analyse all old open dumpsites and existing operational dumpsites
for their potential of bio-mining and bio-remediation and wherever feasible, take necessary
actions to bio-mine or bio-remediate the sites. Central Pollution Control Board has issued
guidelines for Disposal of Legacy Waste and also issued directions under Section 5 of
Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, to all State Pollution Control Boards / Pollution Control
Committees for enforcement of provisions of Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016, regarding
bio-mining of legacy waste. Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, has allocated Rs.10,930.12
crores under Solid Waste Management (SWM) component of SBM (U) 2.0 as Central
Government share for States/UTs for setting up of waste processing facilities for scientific
management of municipal solid waste as well as for remediation of legacy waste dumpsites.As per information provided by Municipal Corporation of Gurugram and Faridabad to CPCB
during inspection the waste disposal site at Bandhwari is in operation for last 13 years. The
initial waste volume of 44 Lakh Metric Tonnes (MT) was present at Bandhwari dumpsite with
height of 41 meters covering an area of about 30 Acres. Bio-mining of the legacy waste at
Bandhwari dumpsite is underway and through biomining of dumpsite the present height is 19
meters, with a total waste volume of around 14 lakhs MT
The analysis of leachate samples by CPCB has shown that the physico-chemical parameters of
leachate collected was in excess of prescribed limits as per Solid Waste Management Rules,
2016. As per Municipal Corporation of Gurugram the leachate is collected in High-Density
Polyethylene (HDPE) lined ponds and transported for treatment at the Gurugram Metropolitan
Development Authority's 120 MLD capacity Sewage Treatment Plant (STP). The analysis of
ground water samples collected from 13 locations by CPCB in the vicinity of Bhadwari
dumpsite, has shown that physico-chemical parameters are within limits as per Solid Waste
Management Rules, 2016.
CPCB has prepared guidelines for disposal of legacy waste (Old MSW). The guidelines include
provisions of bio mining of legacy waste under SWM Rules, 2016, detailed methodology and
process of bioremediation and bio-mining. The guidelines have been prepared to ensure that
concerned local authorities engaged in the bio mining process of legacy waste shall follow
procedures in the guidelines inter alia including the following points: (i) analysis of screened
fractions materials i.e. Refused Dry Fuel (RDF), fine earth, prior to its disposal /utilization, (ii)
preparation of plans for utilisation /disposal of screened fractions, and (iii) adequate provisions
for leachate treatment. Further, other aspects of process management, space management,
leachate, management, fire and safety control measures, use of recovered space etc. have also
been included in the guidelines.
CPCB has also issued directions under Section 5 of Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 to all
SPCBs/PCCs regarding bio-mining of legacy waste on 27.01.2021 and for fire prevention at
dumpsites on dated 26.5.2022
***