A Rs 1 billion plan for disposing of over 10 lakh tonnes of legacy waste at the Bandhwari Solid Waste Treatment Plant has been submitted to the Department of Urban Local Bodies (ULB) for approval. The proposal is expected to be approved in an upcoming purchase committee meeting led by Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, officials from the Municipal Corporation of Gurugram (MCG) said. This proposal follows the December 17 deadline set by the National Green Tribunal (NGT) for MCG to submit an update on waste disposal progress at Bandhwari. Earlier this year, MCG had assured the NGT in an affidavit that the waste pile would be cleared by December 2024. However, as the deadline nears, the corporation plans to request an additional six months to finish the job. At present, Bandhwari holds about 10 lakh tonnes of legacy waste, down from 32 lakh tonnes four years ago. Previously, waste disposal was managed by contractors whose contracts have since expired. The new plan involves three agencies to complete the remaining work. MCG Commissioner Ashok Garg confirmed, "The Rs 100 crore plan for legacy waste disposal has been submitted for approval and will be presented at the chief minister’s meeting." Garg also highlighted that Bandhwari receives 2,000 tonnes of waste daily from Gurugram, in addition to 1,000 tonnes from Faridabad. The MCG claims the site has a disposal capacity of 10,000 tonnes per day. Environmentalists and local activists continue to apply pressure on MCG, urging timely action to address the environmental hazards caused by the accumulating waste. The NGT has previously criticized MCG for delays and inefficiencies in waste management at Bandhwari, underlining the impact on public health and the environment. The corporation’s failure to meet earlier commitments has led to increased scrutiny, prompting this renewed effort to expedite waste disposal operations. The Rs 100 crore plan outlines a strategy to clear the remaining waste and implement measures to prevent future accumulation. The committee’s decision will determine when the project will begin, marking a key step in resolving Gurugram’s waste management issues.