ConstructionWaste – CPWD Struggles to Meet Recycled Material Targets
ConstructionWaste – The Central Public Works Department (CPWD) has fallen short of its annual targets for the use of recycled construction and demolition materials, despite repeated directives from the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA). The shortfall has raised concerns within the government about the pace of implementation under the national framework for managing construction and demolition (C&D) waste.
Ministry Flags Significant Gap in Targets
According to official correspondence, MoHUA had set an annual procurement target of one lakh metric tonnes of recycled C&D materials for CPWD for the financial year 2025–26. However, reports submitted by field offices indicate that actual utilisation so far is less than one-third of the mandated quantity.
In a recent internal communication, CPWD acknowledged the persistent gap between assigned targets and on-ground performance. Officials described the underperformance as detrimental to the broader objectives of the country’s C&D waste management policy, which aims to reduce landfill burden and promote circular use of construction materials.
Regional Divisions Report Minimal or Zero Usage
The issue appears particularly pronounced in certain regional divisions. In the Delhi-NCR region, some divisions have reported no use of recycled materials at all. Senior officers responsible for overseeing infrastructure planning, execution and maintenance have also failed to meet the prescribed benchmarks.
The Special Director General (SDG), Chandigarh, and the Additional Director General (ADG), Lucknow, were each given a target of 2,500 metric tonnes. Neither division achieved its allocation. Similarly, the ADG (Delhi), which had been assigned a target of 5,000 metric tonnes, did not meet the requirement.
Officials familiar with the matter indicated that the lack of off-take from major implementing agencies undermines efforts to scale up production at C&D waste processing plants. Without steady demand from public sector projects, recycling facilities face operational and financial challenges.
Air Quality Panel Raises Concern
The issue has also drawn attention from the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM), which has flagged the slow pace of adoption by organisations functioning under MoHUA. The Commission has previously emphasised that effective use of recycled construction materials can play a role in reducing dust pollution and managing debris responsibly in urban areas.
Experts note that construction and demolition waste forms a significant portion of urban solid waste. Recycling such material into aggregates, paving blocks and other usable products is seen as a key strategy for sustainable urban development. Government departments are expected to lead by example to encourage wider market acceptance.
Steps Ordered to Strengthen Oversight
In response to the continuing shortfall, the ministry has directed CPWD to take corrective measures. These include deputing officers to inspect inventory management systems at C&D waste processing plants. Officials have also been instructed to verify sales invoices and documentation related to recycled material purchases to ensure transparency and accountability.
The move is intended to identify bottlenecks in procurement and improve monitoring of material usage across project sites. Sources indicated that closer supervision may help bridge the gap between policy intent and implementation on the ground.
Broader Implications for Waste Management Goals
The national C&D waste management framework was designed to promote resource efficiency and reduce environmental impact from construction activities. Public infrastructure agencies such as CPWD play a critical role because of the scale of their projects across the country.
While policy guidelines mandate the inclusion of recycled materials in public works wherever feasible, compliance has remained uneven. Officials suggest that stronger enforcement and periodic reviews may be required to achieve the intended environmental outcomes.
As urban development accelerates, the effective management of construction debris is expected to remain a key policy priority. The coming months will likely determine whether corrective measures translate into measurable improvements in recycled material usage within central government projects.