HYDERABAD: Building owners may be denied occupancy certificates (OCs) if they fail to properly dispose of construction and demolition (C&D) waste as Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) is set to implement stricter regulations to tackle the issue soon.
In this regard, the state govt has decided to introduce mandatory requirements for building owners to submit their C&D waste disposal certificate while applying for occupancy certificates with GHMC. The authorities are expected to issue a GO on these regulations within the next few weeks.
Officials emphasise that the move would help reduce illegal dumping on roads, vacant plots, and water bodies, which has become a major environmental concern.
The processed C&D waste could be recycled into construction materials like paver blocks and sand substitutes.
“Under the proposed rules, property owners must engage C&D waste collection agencies to transport debris to designated processing facilities. They will need to maintain proper documentation showing the quantity of waste generated and its disposal method. This certificate will become a mandatory requirement for obtaining the occupancy certificate from GHMC. We will also increase the penalties against the improper disposal of C&D waste,” a senior official in the sanitation wing, GHMC, said.
As per the estimates, Hyderabad generates approximately 2,000 metric tonnes of C&D waste per day. There are four C&D waste processing plants in the city at Jeedimetla, Fathullaguda, Shamshabad, and Thumukunta, where citizens could deposit their waste. At present, a fine amounting to 5,000 is imposed on individual households, while a penalty of 25,000 is enforced on bulk waste producers, including builders, work contractors, institutions, and commercial establishments, for each violation where C&D waste is transported or disposed of in an unauthorised or hazardous condition.
GHMC would also conduct regular monitoring and impose penalties on violators found disposing of debris improperly. Building owners who fail to comply with the new norms would face delays or rejection of their occupancy certificates.
Meanwhile, under a comprehensive challan management system (CCMS), GHMC has issued nearly 4,000 penalties worth 70 lakh to residents and commercial establishments for various littering offences.
