In S Delhi, RWAS against shut dhalaos being used as shops

The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) closed down at least 54% of the Capital’s primary garbage receptacle points or dhalaos in the last two years, a report on municipal waste management prepared by the department of environment management services (DEMS or the sanitation wing) of the civic body has showed, officials said on Sunday. However, MCD is facing resistance in re-utilising these spots for commercial use in several South Delhi areas.

The report, submitted by DEMS to the environment ministry of the Delhi government on February 16, said the city was operating 1,442 dhalaos in Delhi in 2021, which was brought down to 662 in February 2023. To be sure, according to policies cleared by the three erstwhile civic bodies, closed dhalao sites can be re-purposed for a host of alternative uses, including setting up milk booths, rest areas for sanitation staff, material recovery facilities, stores, senior citizens centres, dispensaries, and subsidised meal points.

But the move has invited the ire of residents in areas such as Greater Kailash, Defence Colony and Green Park who have decried the use of these spaces for commercial activities. Sanjay Rana, general secretary of the GK 2 RWA, said they have taken the matter to court. “One dhalao is inside a children’s park. Allowing commercial activities in a park without making necessary modifications to the layout plan is prejudicial,” he added.

Meanwhile, waste management experts do not think closing down dhalaos is a good idea. “These sites could be given to micro entrepreneurs for recycling

waste,” said Bharati Chaturvedi, director of Chintan Environmental Research and Action Group. An MCD spokesperson, meanwhile, said the civic body would take note of the RWA’S grievances and resolve them.