Bandhwari Landfill Threatens Gurugram’s Real Estate, Health, and Environment

DOWNLOAD IPFS

The Bandhwari landfill, towering at nearly 37 meters and spread over more than 30 acres, has become a growing environmental and public health crisis for Gurugram and Faridabad. Receiving over 2,000 tonnes of mixed waste daily, the site is now impacting nearby residential areas, biodiversity zones, and water sources.

Toxic leachate from the landfill has seeped into the adjacent Aravalli forest, forming contaminated puddles and polluting groundwater in at least five villages, including Bandhwari, Mangar Bani, Balola, and Gwal Pahari. Residents have reported rising cases of cancer, foul-smelling water, livestock deaths, and respiratory problems linked to long-term exposure to pollutants from the site.

The landfill’s presence has also begun to affect the region’s real estate market. Housing complexes located several kilometers away are exposed to toxic smoke from frequent landfill fires, while garbage spillage onto the Gurugram–Faridabad road has added to environmental and visual concerns. Residents complain that these issues reduce both quality of life and property values.

Despite a ₹100 crore penalty imposed by the National Green Tribunal in 2022, efforts to clear the waste have been slow. Of the 1.4 million tonnes of legacy waste targeted for treatment, only about 150,000 tonnes had been processed by June 2025. The Municipal Corporation of Gurugram has penalized the agencies responsible and is considering re-tendering the project to speed up the work.

The Haryana forest department has also launched an investigation into possible encroachment, suspecting that the landfill has extended into around 20 acres of protected Aravalli land. Demarcation work is planned to confirm any violations and determine further legal action.

As part of a short-term response, the civic body has initiated a ₹2.5 crore project to improve the landfill’s surroundings, including reinforced drains, landscaping, and roadside view screens. A separate ₹96 lakh plan aims to add greenery through tree planting, fencing, and turfing.