In a major move to curb construction-related pollution, the Delhi government has made the use of recycled construction and demolition (C&D) waste mandatory in all construction projects across the capital. The decision aims to ensure the sustainable disposal and reuse of C&D waste while advancing Delhi’s goal of becoming a pollution-free, world-class city.

The Urban Development Department said the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) has set an annual target of 980,000 metric tonnes (MT) for the utilisation of recycled C&D waste products by various departments and agencies in 2025–26.

The target covers key government bodies, including the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC), Delhi State Industrial and Infrastructure Development Corporation (DSIIDC), Public Works Department (PWD), Delhi Jal Board (DJB), Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board (DUSIB), Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC), and private utilities such as Tata Power, BSES Rajdhani, and BSES Yamuna.

Low Utilisation Triggers Action

Urban Development Minister Ashish Sood, who chaired a high-level meeting on Friday with officials from these agencies, said the decision aligns with the government’s commitment to environmental sustainability and circular economy practices.

“Only 52,000 MT of processed C&D waste is currently being utilised against the target of 980,000 MT, which is concerning. The meeting identified challenges faced by agencies and discussed strategies to accelerate recycling and reuse,” Sood said.

He also emphasised that the Construction and Demolition Waste Management Rules, 2016, notified by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), make it mandatory for all local bodies and public sector entities to incorporate recycled waste materials into construction works.

Breakdown Of Annual Targets

The MoHUA has issued department-wise offtake targets for 2025–26 as follows:

MCD – 200,000 MT

DSIIDC – 100,000 MT

Irrigation and Flood Control Department – 200,000 MT

NDMC – 10,000 MT

PWD – 100,000 MT

Delhi Jal Board – 25,000 MT

DUSIB – 5,000 MT

DTC – 10,000 MT

Tata Power Delhi Distribution Ltd (TPDDL) – 5,000 MT

BSES Rajdhani Power Ltd – 5,000 MT

BSES Yamuna Power Ltd – 5,000 MT

Enforcing Compliance

The targets aim to promote the integration of recycled materials in construction, including road sub-bases, pavement tiles, drain covers, benches, and other infrastructure components.

Sood directed that processed C&D waste must be mandatorily used in both construction and finishing works, warning that payments will be withheld for projects that fail to meet the annual offtake targets.

The initiative is expected to reduce landfill burden, promote green building practices, and significantly cut dust and air pollution levels caused by unregulated C&D waste in the National Capital Region.