GHMC imposes penalties of over ₹42 lakh against illegal dumping of debris

Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) has identified close to 1,158 debris dumping points till the end of January this year. The image is used for representative purposes only.
| Photo Credit: NAGARA GOPAL

The Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) has enhanced its surveillance against the unauthorised dumping of the construction debris in public places, and has started imposing hefty penalties on the violators.

During the past three months, the corporation has mopped up approximately ₹42.21 lakh by way of penalties against illegal dumping of construction and demolition waste (C&D waste) across various circles.

Close to 1,158 debris dumping points have been identified till the end of January this year, among which in 762 instances, the violators have been identified and penalties levied.

The highest number of debris points were identified in Kapra circle, at 137, and penalties were imposed in 102 instances, totalling up to ₹5,52,500. Uppal followed close behind with 114 debris points and 58 instances of penalties, totalling up to ₹3.38 lakh.

In the month of January alone, the corporation garnered ₹14.25 lakh through imposition of fines for illegal dumping of construction and demolition waste (C&D waste) across various circles. A total 333 debris dumping points were identified in the month across the 30 circles of GHMC by the respective Assistant City Planners, among which in 207 instances, violators were identified and penalties were levied.

GHMC commissioner K. Ilambarithi has issued instructions to all the assistant city planners to deploy their town planning staff on the field to work together with the sanitation staff and identify the debris points. Once a debris point is identified, the staff will search the locality for ongoing construction work, and zero in on the violator. In case the construction is by GHMC or any public works department, the fines should be imposed on the contractor.

The town planning staff has also been instructed to keep an eye open for ongoing constructions and how the builders are disposing of the waste. All ACPs and town planning supervisors have been instructed to conduct awareness campaigns on C&D waste management in GHMC.

The GHMC has four recycling plants respectively at Jeedimetla, Fathullahguda, Shamshabad and Thumkunta to receive the city’s C&D waste and process it. A fee ranging between ₹405-435 per tonne is charged from the waste generator towards the transportation and processing costs.