New Delhi: The city is a problem of plenty, and it is not good news.Waste generated because of construction and demolition (C&D) has long been an issue. A decade ago, rules were framed to ensure that this waste – which includes debris, bricks, concrete and metals among other things, are recycled and reused. Today, Delhi generates more than 6,000 metric tonnes of this waste every day. A majority of this reaches dedicated recycling plants, which turn it into reusable material – paver blocks, aggregate, and chequered tiles. But, despite the ministry of housing and urban affairs (MoHUA) setting usage targets for big agencies such as Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) and Delhi Development Authority (DDA), uptake remains low. So low that targets have been slashed in the past. Meeting even the slashed targets seems impossible. According to a recent report submitted by MCD to Delhi govt, against an annual target to offtake or utilise 9.9 lakh MT of recycled C&D products in 2025-26, govt agencies have used only about 1.3 lakh MT — around 13% of the target — between April 1, 2025 and Feb 28, 2026. This is despite the ministry of housing and urban affairs (MoHUA) reducing the consumption target this year and terming the revised figures as more “realistic”. Last year, govt agencies could utilise only 14% of the total target of 16 lakh MT. According to the report, among 20 govt and PSU agencies in Delhi, MCD was given an annual offtake target of 2 lakh MT but could utilise 53,479 MT, or 26.7%, in the current financial year. Similarly, DDA was assigned a target of 50,000 MT and utilised 16,520 MT, achieving 32.5%. Northern Railway did not utilise any part of its 10,000 MT target. PWD, which is handling a large share of infrastructure projects, used only 2,122 MT (2.2%) against its target of 1 lakh MT. Delhi Tourism and Transportation Development Corporation was also among the lowest users, consuming only 56 MT — around 1% of its 5,250 MT target. Among the reasons cited for low consumption are concerns over the quality of recycled products and the limited range of materials available after processing. “Not all products required in construction are available at these plants. C&D waste can produce items like paving tiles, kerbstones and filling material, which cannot meet the entire requirement,” sources said. A contractor working on govt projects, on condition of anonymity, said quality concerns have also been raised in meetings. “At times, even the public objects to the material used in road works,” he said. Delhi generates approximately 5,500–6,000 MT of C&D waste daily from construction activities carried out by agencies such as MCD, PWD, CPWD, I&FCD, DJB and the Delhi Cantonment Board. Of this, around 5,000 MT is transported to four processing plants located at Bakkarwala (1,000 MT), Burari (2,000 MT), Ranikhera (1,000 MT) and Shastri Park (1,000 MT). A fifth plant with a capacity of 1,000 MT is being established at Tehkhand. While the PMO and MoHUA have recently begun monitoring the process of C&D waste collection and set an initial target of clearing 1 lakh metric tonnes of such waste within 15 days (March 6–21), experts pointed out that if the collected waste is not processed or utilised and is instead stockpiled, the exercise does not serve its purpose. As per policy, all civic agencies are required to prioritise the use of recycled C&D materials in construction and road projects. While earlier guidelines prescribed minimum usage thresholds, the system has now shifted to annual volume-based targets. Compliance is reviewed quarterly, and failure to meet targets may impact contractor payments, sources said. However, officials indicated that consumption may not increase significantly unless large-scale projects pick up pace. “In the case of MCD, budget is allocated to maintenance wards for procuring by-products made from C&D waste every year, but unless major projects are taken up, consumption cannot rise substantially,” an official said.
