Delhi residents slam garbage collection user-charges link to property tax

The Municipal Corporation of Delhi’s (MCD) recent decision to club user charges for garbage collection with the property tax has sparked outrage across Delhi’s residential communities.

The move, introduced seven years after official notification, is being enforced without adequate groundwork, say civic groups.

The charges, which allegedly range from ₹50 to ₹200 monthly depending on the size of the property, apply to both residential and commercial units.

However, only 1.3 million of Delhi’s 4.3 million households pay property tax, prompting questions about fairness and implementation.

Also Read: Rs 600-cr garbage-collection burden on Bengaluru residents opposed: Report

Garbage fee row

Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs), including the influential United Residents Joint Action (URJA), argue that the move punishes honest taxpayers while allowing non-taxpayers to evade responsibility.

They stress that many colonies already manage waste via private contractors and should not be burdened with double charges.

Colonies like Vasant Kunj, Defence Colony, and Munirka Vihar - already operating zero-waste initiatives - demand either full concessions or an official takeover of their systems.

Services not delivered

Critics highlight that MCD has failed to ensure reliable, segregated, door-to-door waste collection across the city.

Last year, an audit by Administrative Staff College of India (ASCI) revealed major inefficiencies. The audit flagged the shortcomings in the primary waste collection and collection efficiency in different zones.

Also Read: SC slams MCD for 3k tonnes of untreated waste daily in Delhi

Environmental experts also warn that excluding informal waste workers - key players in waste recovery - will harm both livelihoods and outcomes.

AAP, BJP in rare agreement

The new fee has united AAP and BJP in a rare agreement - both parties opposing the implementation. AAP accused the MCD commissioner of bypassing elected councillors, while BJP staged protests at the commissioner’s residence.

With Delhi generating over 11,000 tonnes of garbage daily and only 7,200 tonnes processable, the system is already overburdened. Residents demand that the MCD first fix operational flaws before levying new fees.

Also Read: Zero-waste kitchens: How food scraps are being turned into gourmet delights

What’s next?

As public backlash grows, RWAs are planning further representations. Many demand decoupling user charges from property tax and urge the MCD to consult stakeholders before proceeding.

If reforms aren't rolled out soon, Delhi’s waste wars may only deepen.