Centre gives MCD 20-day deadline over garbage near Delhi railway tracks
New Delhi: The central government has taken a tough stand on the problem of garbage accumulated around railway tracks in Delhi. The Union Home Secretary has directed the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) to survey the affected areas and prepare a comprehensive action plan within 20 days. The plan will include regular lifting of garbage, proper disposal and measures to prevent garbage from accumulating again.
The Railway Board had prominently raised the issue at the review meeting of Special Cleanliness Campaign 6.0 on October 26. According to available data, out of Delhi’s total 365.2 km of railway tracks, 18.93 km is affected by garbage. Old waste is lying at 125 locations along these stretches. Concerns have been raised over environmental pollution, the health of nearby residents and the safety of railway operations.
The Home Secretary has directed the MCD to survey all colonies and slum clusters adjoining railway tracks within 15 days. Under this, the quantity of garbage generated and its sources will be identified. Door-to-door waste collection in unauthorised settlements will also have to be implemented effectively so that people do not dump garbage along the tracks.
Officials have been asked to arrange authorised sites for regular disposal of garbage and strengthen monitoring and action against those dumping waste illegally. Awareness campaigns will also be run with the help of social organisations and non-governmental organisations.
The MCD had removed 5,997 metric tonnes of garbage from around railway tracks under a special cleaning drive between August 17 and October 17, 2026. Special cleaning was carried out around Shahdara, Inderlok and Daya Basti. Even so, the garbage problem remains at 125 locations. After the central government’s deadline, the corporation now faces the challenge of implementing regular cleaning and a permanent waste-management system.
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