Landfill workers in Delhi to receive ₹5,000 bonus before Diwali; legacy waste removal target set for October 2026

Delhi, September 18, 2025 In a move aimed at both welfare and urban cleanliness, the Delhi government has announced that all workers associated with the city’s three major landfill sites—including those responsible for transporting and handling waste—will receive a bonus of ₹5,000 each ahead of Diwali. The announcement was made during an inspection of the Bhalswa landfill by Union Housing and Urban Affairs Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, accompanied by Delhi Urban Development Minister Ashish Sood and Mayor Raja Iqbal Singh as part of the ongoing Sewa Pakhwada initiative. Khattar highlighted that the initiative is not simply a financial relief measure, but part of a broader strategy to clean up Delhi’s legacy waste problem. He reiterated the government’s commitment to removing all legacy waste from Bhalswa landfill by October 2, 2026. To aid implementation, there will be better segregation of “fresh” waste (daily garbage) and “legacy” waste (old, accumulated waste), which will help with more efficient handling and processing. Some progress has already been reported. Approximately 25 acres of the Bhalswa landfill have been reclaimed through bio-remediation techniques, and five acres have been converted into a bamboo garden, creating green space among the reclaimed portion. Importantly, the height of the landfill has been reduced by about 15 meters. Also, the amount of legacy waste is said to have fallen from 73 lakh metric tonnes to 43 lakh metric tonnes under current measures. Health and safety issues of waste workers have also been addressed: Minister Khattar stressed periodic health check-ups for those working in hazardous conditions. Mayor Raja Iqbal Singh echoed the concern, noting that conditions at Bhalswa especially have been dangerous in the past. The bonus ahead of Diwali is intended as both recognition of the difficult work done by these workers, and as a gesture of support during a festive period when costs typically rise. The plan involves coordination with multiple agencies. The Delhi Development Authority (DDA) is to supply land and logistical assistance. There will be a stronger institutional framework to ensure that segregation and bio-remediation efforts are scaled up. If implemented successfully, the measures aim to reduce Delhi’s environmental burden, improve public health, and offer dignity and material relief to those working at the hard edge of urban waste management.