AAP mismanaged Delhi's waste management system, alleges LoP

Raja Iqbal Singh, Leader of Opposition (LoP) in the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) and former Mayor, has sharply criticised the AAP government for its handling of the city’s waste management system, claiming that the system had collapsed under the current administration.

His remarks come in the wake of a Supreme Court (SC) reprimand over the ongoing waste disposal issues in Delhi.

Singh accused the AAP government of completely disrupting the sanitation system since taking control of the MCD. “Delhi’s waste management system has completely collapsed under the AAP government. The situation has become so dire that even the SC has reprimanded the MCD for failing to process 3,000 metric tons of waste,” Singh said at a press conference.

The LoP highlighted that during the BJP’s tenure, significant steps were taken to address the growing waste crisis, including the establishment of a waste-to-energy plant at Tehkhand and plans for an additional plant with a capacity of 3,000 tons in Narela-Bawana. However, Singh criticised the AAP government for failing to take any forward steps. "The AAP government, which came to power with false promises, has done nothing to implement these projects. Not a single new initiative has been launched under their watch," he added.

Singh also demanded that MCD Mayor Mahesh Kumar should resign on moral grounds following the Supreme Court’s stern remarks. “The Mayor should step down after the Supreme Court's reprimand. It is clear that the AAP government has failed to deliver on its responsibilities,” he said.

Addressing the alarming waste crisis, Singh pointed out that Delhi generates around 11,000 tons of waste daily, but 3,000 tons were still being dumped daily at the city’s overflowing landfill sites, including Bhalswa and Ghazipur. “Despite efforts made by the BJP-led MCD to clear these sites, the continuous addition of new waste has rendered those efforts ineffective," Singh remarked.

He accused the AAP government of stalling progress on key sanitation projects. “The waste-to-energy plant in Narela-Bawana, which was supposed to be operational by 2022, is still not in place,” Singh noted, stressing that many essential projects had been delayed under the AAP’s administration.

Singh further criticised the city’s deteriorating cleanliness, pointing out that piles of garbage were visible on street corners across Delhi, with roads remaining unswept for days. "There are overflowing drains, sewage water flowing onto the streets and piles of garbage everywhere. Yet, AAP's councillors and MLAs are turning a blind eye to the public’s struggles,” he said.