Lakshya: Zero Dumpsites

The Government of India has ramped up efforts to eliminate legacy waste dumpsites across the country by launching the Dumpsite Remediation Accelerator Programme (DRAP), aiming to achieve “Lakshya: Zero Dumpsites” by October 2026.

The initiative focuses on scientifically remediating municipal waste dumpsites that have accumulated over decades. These sites — often unregulated and harmful to the environment — pose serious risks including groundwater contamination, air pollution, methane emissions, frequent fires, and health hazards for nearby communities.

Under the programme:

• 2,479 legacy dumpsites have been identified nationwide, containing an estimated 25 crore metric tonnes of waste spread over about 15,000 acres.
• Over 61% of legacy waste has already been processed using scientific methods.
• Among these, 214 high-impact sites — accounting for nearly 80% of remaining legacy waste — are being prioritised for accelerated remediation.

The waste recovered during remediation is being repurposed where possible:

• Inert materials are used for road construction and landfilling of low-lying areas.
• Recyclable components are channelled into recycling streams.
• Combustible fractions are converted into Refuse-Derived Fuel (RDF) for energy use.

The DRAP initiative builds on the sanitation achievements of the Swachh Bharat Mission, which improved waste management systems in urban India. The new programme integrates a 5P Framework — Political Leadership, Public Finance, Partnerships, People’s Participation, and Project Management — designed to ensure accountability and speed in clearing legacy dumpsites.

In 2025 alone:

• 459 dumpsites across 438 cities were fully remediated.
• Over 183 lakh metric tonnes of legacy waste were processed.
• The total number of completely remediated sites reached 1,138 across 1,048 cities.

Officials emphasize that eliminating legacy dumpsites will not only lead to cleaner urban environments and improved public health, but will also reclaim valuable land for green infrastructure and urban development.