Haryana Orders Inquiry, Forms SIT to Probe Illegal Dumping in Aravallis

Haryana's environment minister Rao Narbir Singh on Thursday ordered an inquiry and the forming of a special investigation team following HT's report on the illegal dumping of 32,000 tonnes of waste in the ecologically fragile Aravalli hills and Tauru villages.

- Leena Dhankhar

The minister has directed officials to visit the dumping sites and the alleged processing facility in Palwal, where the contractor had claimed to have treated the waste.

"The contractor will be asked to remove the dumped waste at zero cost, and all official documents related to the project will be scrutinised. A detailed report will be submitted to me within 15 days," said Singh.

The ₹3 crore waste management contract, awarded in November 2024, was meant for scientific bioremediation of legacy waste that had accumulated over years. However, HT found during spot visits and in conversations with residents that instead of proper waste processing, the material was transported to more than 20 illegal sites, where it was covered with subsoil to evade detection.