Delhi railway land waste: MCD asked for 15-day action plan

Waste has been identified at 125 locations along 18.93km of railway land in Delhi, and the Municipal Corporation of Delhi has been asked to prepare a plan to clear the sites and prevent fresh dumping.

At an October 26 meeting chaired by the Union home secretary, officials asked the MCD to map the affected stretches, identify sources of dumping and submit an action plan within 15 days. Delhi has 365.2km of railway tracks in total.

Railway officials said waste along tracks and adjoining land creates environmental, public-health and operational-safety concerns. The affected locations are largely near unauthorised colonies and areas described as encroachments, where officials plan to examine waste-collection arrangements.

The MCD, railway authorities and the Centre's UT Division will survey adjoining colonies and estimate the waste they generate. The proposed response includes daily door-to-door collection, disposal at authorised sites, enforcement against unauthorised dumping, and awareness work with local communities and non-governmental organisations.

In December 2023, the MCD said it had removed more than 9,500 tonnes of waste from 105km of railway tracks.