Faridabad’s garbage crisis has worsened after waste remained uncollected in several areas for 15 days, with rain turning roadside heaps into wet, foul-smelling and slippery stretches that are disrupting movement for residents, pedestrians and two-wheeler riders.
The waste has accumulated on roads and in lanes across parts of the city, according to a report by Live Hindustan. Rainwater has collected in the heaps, accelerating decomposition and spreading the waste and mud around homes, shops and access roads. Residents say the conditions have made it difficult to leave their homes and move through neighbourhood streets.
The civic failure is particularly visible in areas where garbage has spilled from the roadside onto the carriageway. The combination of wet waste, rainwater and mud has narrowed several passages, leaving less space for vehicles and pedestrians. Two-wheeler riders face a higher risk of losing balance while braking, turning or passing through the affected stretches, while pedestrians are being forced to move around the waste and dirty water.
Faridabad generates around 1,200 tonnes of waste every day, according to the report. The Municipal Corporation transports garbage by truck to Pratappur, Mujedi and the Gurugram Paper Mill. However, these facilities are receiving only about 600 tonnes daily, leaving a substantial gap between the city’s reported waste generation and the quantity being moved to the listed plants.
That shortfall has coincided with the prolonged disruption in door-to-door and roadside waste collection. Residents said the problem had existed even during dry weather but became significantly worse after rainfall. Wet waste has begun to decay in the open, producing a strong odour around residential areas, shops and homes. In some locations, the waste has spread into streets instead of remaining confined to collection points.
The immediate impact is not limited to cleanliness. Piles of waste and contaminated water are obstructing daily movement, creating slippery surfaces and increasing the possibility of collisions between vehicles and pedestrians. Residents have demanded that the corporation first clear locations where garbage has been lying for an extended period and ensure that collection vehicles return regularly.
The episode also highlights the operational challenge created when a city generates more waste than the quantity being transported to its designated facilities. The report does not provide a detailed explanation for the gap, including whether it is linked to collection capacity, transport availability, plant intake limits or another administrative constraint.
Gaurav Antil, additional commissioner of the Municipal Corporation, said directions would be issued to address the collection problem. He said areas with accumulated garbage would be cleaned and regular collection would be ensured. The corporation’s response is expected to focus first on removing existing heaps and then on restoring routine waste collection in the affected neighbourhoods.
