NEW DELHI – Parts of Delhi are facing a worsening waste crisis, with garbage piling up on streets and emitting foul odors, due to a combination of expired long-term contracts and procedural delays in the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD). Residents and officials alike are raising alarms about the unsanitary conditions, particularly during the ongoing monsoon season.
A System in Disarray
The crisis stems from the expiration of seven-year waste collection contracts across three key MCD zones. While the Central Zone’s contract was extended yearly until 2025, and a temporary six-month deal was recently awarded, the South and West Zones have been operating without a new agreement since their tenders expired in April 2025. A senior MCD official noted that the absence of a Standing Committee until recently had stalled the process of floating fresh tenders.
According to MCD councillor Rajpal Singh, the lack of a long-term plan has led to a significant drop in operational efficiency. “Waste management in our zone has been in disarray for the past three months,” he said, citing a lack of machinery and a drastic reduction in the number of auto tippers used for garbage collection.
The Impact on Residents
Residents from across the city are voicing their frustration. Rita Sharma, a resident of Hari Nagar, lamented the lack of reliable door-to-door collection, while Anil Raj of Okhla pointed to the health risks posed by the situation. “The streets get waterlogged and the garbage flows onto the streets, emanating a pungent smell,” he said. The MCD Commissioner, Ashwini Kumar, acknowledged the problem, stating that poor management, not the volume of garbage, is the main issue. He also highlighted a funding gap, noting that only ₹70 crore is being paid to contractors against a demand of ₹90 crore.
The MCD expects the process for a new long-term tender to take at least another eight months, leaving residents and officials to manage with stop-gap solutions in the meantime.