Hyderabad’s 15 lakh tonne waste pile near IKEA raises alarm

HEMA SINGULURI | Hyderabad 

Hyderabad is facing a massive construction and demolition waste crisis after the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) flagged an estimated 15 lakh tonnes of debris accumulated in the Gachibowli–IKEA stretch near the city’s IT corridor. The enormous dump has formed what officials describe as a six to seven-storey-high “garbage mountain,” raising serious environmental and administrative concerns.

The waste site, located close to IKEA Hyderabad, consists mainly of broken concrete, soil, excavation waste and mixed construction debris. Over the years, what began as scattered dumping gradually transformed into a massive heap spread across a large area in the fast-growing western zone of the city.

According to GHMC officials, the dumping has taken place over nearly a decade, with some portions possibly dating back even further. The site was never officially designated as a landfill, but weak enforcement and multiple access points reportedly allowed contractors to dump waste unchecked.

Narayan Malempati, Zonal Commissioner of Serilingampally, GHMC, said four to five dumping points contributed to the accumulation. He said a commissioner-level review meeting has already been held and planning for remediation is underway. However, the process is delayed due to land ownership disputes, procedural bottlenecks and the need for scientific assessment before removal begins.

Officials estimate nearly 40 per cent of the waste includes general garbage along with construction debris. Residents have reported rising dust pollution and worsening air quality. The cleanup is expected to cost between Rs 70 crore and Rs 90 crore and may take over a year, involving excavation, segregation, transport and disposal, while GHMC is also considering stricter monitoring systems to prevent future illegal dumping.