March 17, 2017

In a programme organised by Municipal Corporation of Gurugram (MCG) under the aegis of Swachh Bharat Mission, Gurugram launched two important drivers – Gurugram Handbook by Gurgaon First and Waste Portal by MCG- to spruce up waste management awareness in the city. Both the Handbook and portal was released and launched by Rao Inderjit Singh, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Ministry of Planning and Minister of State for Ministry of Urban Development and Ministry of Housing & Urban Poverty Alleviation, Government of India.

The 130-page book“Gurugram Handbook for Waste Management” is a first-of-its-kind waste book by any city in the country. It has been published by city-based citizen Initiative Gurgaon First. Besides this, a Waste Portal on MCG’s official site www.mcg.gov.in has been launched to promote waste reduction and composting was also launched. The programme was attended by 400 people including RWAs, NGOs, Authorities, Citizen Groups, Schools, Colleges, Corporates, Industry and citizens of Gurugram.
The Waste Handbook is a compendium and ready reckoner for waste and has five distinct sections. These are Waste Basics (elementary information of waste), Gurugram Scenario ( (waste operations in Gurugram, the success stories, the pilot projects and the initiatives of NGos, Authorities as well as Corporates in Gurugram) Expert Opinion (drawing insights from top national and local experts on waste management) Waste Players (extensive directory of all waste solution providers) and Gurugram Directory (stakeholders list of all the RWAs, schools, institutions, hotels, hospitals in Gurugram). The Handbook was freely distributed to all the attendees of the function.

The waste portal is an online platform enabling RWAs to collaborate with MCG for effective waste management. RWAs can register on the portal. Once registered, each RWA will be required to notify a spot or zone for local composting. MCG will organise training for domestic helps and residents in segregating waste. The RWAs across different areas would have to commit to segregating and treating waste generated by them. The MCG has decided on a strict implementation of rules pertaining to solid waste management and ensuring people do not burn waste. Besides the launch of the Handbook and the portal, the MoUD showed many audio-visual films on building awareness about sanitation issues under Swachh Bharat Mission. Three films on success stories in other parts of the country was also showcased in the event.

Speaking on the occasion, Rao Inderjt Singh, Minister of State, MoUD said, “The Handbook and the Portal will inspire and encourage different stakeholders to adopt sustainable solutions for waste management and strengthen the efforts culminating towards successful implementation of Swachh Bharat Mission. V Umashanker, MCG Commissioner said, “The waste portal will be a single stop platform for all needs of the enthusiastic residents and RWAs of Gurugram pertaining to best practices, technical assistance, funding, information and education on waste. The Handbook will act as a ready reckoner and reference book for residents”.

Shubhra Puri, Founder, Gurgaon First said, “Waste strewn on landfills not only pollutes the ground water below but also builds toxicity in the air. It is important that all stakeholders come together to fight this growing menace. We hope the Handbook will build awareness about waste solutions and foster hand-holding between different stakeholder groups.” For more details and to get a free copy of the Hanbook, please get in touch with Shubhra Puri, Founder, Gurgaon First at 0124-4259827 or write to [email protected] .