Cleanup not our job: MCG after demolitions page 1Following a five-day demolition drive by DTCP across colonies, MCG has refused to lift the debris, saying it is not responsible for clearing construction and demolition waste it did not generate, reports Vishakha Chaman. Citing waste management rules, the civic body has asked DTCP to transport debris to its Basai plant. As agencies trade responsibility, rubble from razed structures continues to choke roads and reduce parking space, triggering anger among residents.Colonies wait for debris cleanup after demolitions, but who’ll do it? | page 3Gurgaon: Drawing a clear line on responsibility after a demolition drive in the city, MCG has declined to lift construction and demolition (C&D) waste generated by enforcement actions carried out by the department of town and country planning (DTCP). Even as the agencies pass the buck, residents await the pickup of debris, which have transformed from illegal extensions to hazardous material on the road.In a communication to the district town planner (enforcement), MCG clarified that the responsibility for handling and disposing of the debris lies with the waste generator – in this case, DTCP, which conducted the demolitions. Citing provisions under Construction and Demolition Waste Management Rules, 2025, the civic body emphasized that any entity generating demolition waste must ensure its transportation and disposal at designated facilities. Accordingly, DTCP has been directed to immediately transport the debris to MCG’s authorized processing plant located in Basai.DTCP earlier issued formal directions to both developers and MCG through letters, laying out a structured post-demolition plan. Developers and the civic body were tasked with area-specific restoration of internal roads as per the right of way approved in layout plans, with compliance to be submitted within 15 days. The letters also mandated immediate removal of construction debris left behind after demolition – a key concern raised by residents across colonies.“I called the DTP for a meeting and told them clearly that it is their mandate to clear the debris. I have been assured that arrangements will be made to clear the debris and transport it to our Basai plant,” said MCG commissioner Pradeep Dahiya.TOI reached out to DTCP, which refused to comment on the matter. The civic body underlined that it won’t undertake lifting of such waste and has asked the department to ensure timely compliance to avoid accumulation across demolition sites. Officials warned that any delay or non-compliance could attract action under the Environment Protection Act, 1986.The move highlights a strict interpretation of waste management norms, placing accountability squarely on the agency responsible for generating debris, even in government-led enforcement drives.Residents, meanwhile, called the situation “unacceptable”. “Debris from the demolition of guard rooms, pavements and ramps has been left uncleared, choking the area and effectively reducing it to a single usable lane. This has severely cut down parking space and created daily chaos during school hours. Those responsible for the encroachments should be compelled to clear the debris immediately and penalized for the mess left behind,” said Deepak Gugnani, a resident of Sector 54.“Debris has been left after demolition on the roads like it is nobody’s responsibility. Basic problem here is that if debris is left in such a manner, it gives the license to people to throw other things also because of the lack of civic sense and soon our roads will turn into dump yards. Another problem is that materials such as metals, iron etc dumped on the roadsides can damage our vehicles,” said Ashwani Duggal, a resident of South City 1.Environmentalists said DTCP cannot walk away from the aftermath of the demolitions. “It’s unacceptable that no one has taken responsibility for clearing the debris – whether it’s DTCP or MCG. This should have been planned before the demolition drive even began. Either DTCP must ensure clearance or hold the encroachers accountable for it. What’s missing here is a basic, systemic approach to governance,” said Chetan Agarwal, an environmentalist.
