Chennai Corporation to outsource management of construction and debris waste

The Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) will go back to outsourcing the management of construction and debris (C&D) waste. The civic body has approved ‘Micro Implementation and Operation Plans’ in all 15 zones.

The Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) will go back to outsourcing the management of construction and debris (C&D) waste. The civic body has approved ‘Micro Implementation and Operation Plans’ in all 15 zones, which are expected to be implemented by a private firm.

The move follows the GCC resolving payment and technical issues, which have been going for three years, with a private firm previously involved in the management of C&D waste. “Further, there isn’t sufficient infrastructure and manpower with the GCC to handle all the waste generated across over 14,000 streets in the city,” a senior official stated.

Moreover, 47 new vehicles are expected to be deployed for the purpose — including 17 heavy capacity tippers (trucks with an open-box bed that can tilt to unload materials), five smaller tippers, 17 Skid Steer Loaders (machine with wheels or tracks used to dig, lift, and move materials in narrow spaces), and eight excavators. An additional 24 heavy capacity tippers are also to be procured.

It may be noted that in January 2025, a total of 19,046.03 tonnes of C&D waste was collected — 10,078.75 tonnes from north Chennai and 8,967.28 tonnes from the south. In February 2025, the waste collection increased significantly to 23,908.66 tonnes, with 12,261.57 tonnes collected from the north and 11,647.09 tonnes from the south. The overall collection in these two months stands at 42,954.69 tonnes.

The GCC is currently in the process of reviewing public and stakeholders’ suggestions for the Draft Guidelines for Construction and Demolition Waste Management, said Commissioner J. Kumaragurubaran.

As per the new model, large-scale constructions will have to pay the GCC for transporting large amounts of waste and/or must transport the C&D waste to designated spots for dumping. From there, the waste will be taken to Kodungaiyur or Perungudi dumpyards for processing. Only huge firms and those dumping debris in/near waterbodies will be fined by the corporation. M-sand and other byproducts will be sold to factories to be used as fuel or construction materials, Mr. Kumaragurubaran stated.

Smaller constructions can collect the waste close to the construction site and contact the GCC for clearance, according to the Commissioner. These small-scale constructions will not be fined for open dumping as the private party is expected to remove it within a few hours of dumping, he added.