Hyderabad faces ₹100 crore bill to clear construction waste
HYDERABAD: Illegal dumping of construction and demolition (C&D) waste in Hyderabad’s Information Technology (IT) corridor has created massive waste mounds, with civic authorities estimating that more than ₹100 crore will be needed to clear them.
Thirty lakh tonnes dumped on disputed government land
The IT corridor and Financial District continue to witness rapid construction of high-rise residential and commercial buildings, including Information Technology companies, corporate offices, hospitals and hotels. The surge in construction has led to a sharp increase in C&D waste, much of which is allegedly being dumped illegally on government land instead of being processed through authorised agencies.
Two large waste mounds have emerged along the road from HITEC City to Khanamet. Around 10 acres of government land in Survey No. 44, Gachibowli, and 30 acres in Survey No. 53, Kondapur, have become major dumping sites. As the land is under litigation between private claimants and the government, officials have been unable to monitor the sites effectively.
Officials estimate that around 15 lakh tonnes of waste have accumulated at each location, taking the combined total to 30 lakh tonnes.
Builders bypass authorised disposal process
A three-storey building on a 200-square-yard plot typically generates about 100 tonnes of construction debris, including stones, bricks, soil, sand, concrete, plywood and plastic.
Under existing rules, builders must apply to the municipal authorities for disposal. Authorised agencies transport the waste to processing facilities at Jeedimetla, Patullaguda and Shamshabad, where recyclable material is segregated before final disposal. The authorised fee is ₹500 per tonne.
However, officials say many builders bypass the system and dump waste on vacant government land.
Removal to cost over ₹100 crore
Transporting the entire 30 lakh tonnes of waste at the standard rate would cost around ₹150 crore. A study commissioned by CMC Commissioner G. Srijana estimated that assigning the work to contractors could reduce the cost to around ₹100 crore. The civic body has recently invited expressions of interest from contractors for the project.
Real estate industry representatives, however, say private contractors may divert a significant portion of the debris for levelling layouts and development sites.
Environmental and traffic concerns
Illegal dumping is also being reported at Thammidikunta, Edulakunta and Khanamet. Residents say the waste is frequently burnt at night, releasing dense smoke and causing air pollution.
Experts warn that clearing the debris will require hundreds of lorry trips, potentially worsening traffic congestion, increasing pollution and damaging roads.
They also caution that if a cloudburst occurs over the waste mounds, mud and debris could wash into surrounding areas and flood the basements of nearby high-rise buildings.
Government approval required
CMC Commissioner G. Srijana said the project would require substantial expenditure by the civic body and government approval.
“Removing construction waste in the IT corridor will involve significant expenditure, which the municipal corporation has to bear. Government approval is required. We will also take strict action against those dumping construction waste on government land in future,” G. Srijana said.
