From April 1, 2026, anyone constructing, renovating, or demolishing on plots of 200 square metres or more in Gurugram must document and prove proper disposal of construction and demolition (C&D) waste or risk being denied completion and occupancy certificates. The framework, issued by the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM), introduces a two-stage verification system: debris management is checked before construction begins, and again before a building is allowed to be legally occupied. The new rules align with the nationally notified Environment (Construction and Demolition) Waste Management Rules, 2025, which come into force on the same date and emphasise extended producer responsibility, circular economy principles, and strengthened compliance mechanisms. The directive responds to persistent illegal dumping on roadsides, vacant plots, drains, and near the Aravalli hills, a practice that has been a documented contributor to Gurugram’s chronic air quality problems.
How the Two-Stage System Works
At the plan approval stage, building authorities must obtain a declaration of the estimated quantity of demolition waste for any plot of 200 sq metres or more where demolition is required before construction. Project proponents must then deposit demolition waste at designated collection or processing facilities and obtain a receipt before commencing construction. The second check comes at project completion authorities issuing Completion Certificates or Occupation Certificates must verify these disposal receipts before granting approvals. Without documented proof of proper waste disposal at both stages, a building cannot legally be occupied.
Recycling Targets: A Phased Mandate
The 2025 rules introduce binding recycling targets that escalate over time. Beginning 2026-27, a minimum of 5% of construction materials must be sourced from recycled C&D waste, with this requirement increasing to 25% by 2030-31. EPR targets for waste recycling in reconstruction and demolition projects are set at 25% for 2025-26, rising to 100% from 2028-29. Entities failing to meet EPR targets face environmental compensation charges, though producers that subsequently fulfil obligations may receive a partial refund.
What It Means for Developers and Property Buyers
For developers operating in Gurugram and across NCR, the new rules introduce a compliance dependency that directly affects delivery timelines. Occupancy certificates already a common bottleneck in project handover will now require verified waste disposal documentation as a prerequisite. Developers who have historically relied on informal debris disposal practices will need to budget for authorised collection and transportation from project commencement.
For homebuyers purchasing under-construction properties in Gurugram, the regulation adds an indirect layer of protection: developers who manage waste compliance systematically are also more likely to maintain broader construction and regulatory discipline. When evaluating a project, buyers can now ask developers directly about their C&D waste management plan and registered recycler partnerships questions that will become standard due diligence from April 2026 onward.
