India Targets Zero Dumpsites Under DRAP by 2026

India’s urban cleanliness journey, strengthened by a decade of progress under the Swachh Bharat Mission, has entered a decisive new phase focused on eliminating legacy waste dumpsites. These long-standing waste accumulations pose serious environmental and public health risks. To accelerate their removal, the Government of India launched the Dumpsite Remediation Accelerator Programme (DRAP) in November 2025, with the goal of achieving “Lakshya: Zero Dumpsites” by October 2026.

Legacy Dumpsites and Environmental Concerns

A dumpsite refers to land used by Urban Local Bodies for disposing municipal solid waste, often accumulated over decades through unscientific methods. Such sites contaminate soil and groundwater, degrade air quality, emit methane, and pose fire and health hazards. Across India, around 2,479 legacy dumpsites have been identified, collectively holding nearly 25 crore metric tonnes of waste spread over about 15,000 acres.

Scale of the Challenge and Current Progress

India currently generates nearly 1.62 lakh tonnes of municipal solid waste daily, with projections rising sharply by 2030 and 2050. Without remediation, emissions from this sector could reach 41.09 million tonnes of CO₂-equivalent by 2030. At present, remediation work is underway at 1,428 dumpsites, with over 62% of legacy waste already processed. In 2025 alone, 459 dumpsites across 438 cities achieved complete remediation.

Dumpsite Remediation Accelerator Programme (DRAP)

Under DRAP, 214 high-impact dumpsites across 30 States and UTs have been prioritised, as they account for nearly 80% of the remaining legacy waste, about 8.6 crore metric tonnes. The programme follows a dual strategy of removing existing dumpsites and preventing new ones by ensuring scientific processing of fresh waste. Land reclaimed through remediation is earmarked for solid waste management infrastructure or green cover development.

Important Facts for Exams

• DRAP was launched in November 2025 with a target of Zero Dumpsites by October 2026.
• India has identified about 2,479 legacy dumpsites containing ~25 crore metric tonnes of waste.
• High-impact dumpsites under DRAP account for nearly 80% of remaining legacy waste.
• Biomining is the key technology used for legacy waste remediation.

Framework, Biomining, and Way Forward

DRAP is anchored in the 5P framework of SBM–Urban 2.0: Political Leadership, Public Finance, Partnerships, People’s Participation, and Project Management. Legacy waste is treated through biomining, where waste is stabilised, segregated, and channelled into reuse pathways such as road construction, waste-to-energy, recycling, and composting, with only non-reusable rejects sent to scientific landfills. Strengthened processing infrastructure under SBM–Urban 2.0 and the Mission Zero Dumpsites vision is expected to support sustainable urban growth, reduce emissions, and align India’s cities with long-term environmental and development goals.