Behind every clean street in urban India lies a chain of infrastructure and systems that manage the waste generated by cities. Every large Indian city generates waste that comes from households, markets, institutions, commercial establishments and public spaces.

Much of this waste is directed to dumpsites, where it accumulates over time and forms legacy waste sites. To tackle this challenge, the Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban (SBM-U) was launched in October 2014.

Over 12 years, SBM-U has been building infrastructure beyond basic sanitation. Its focus now extends to managing urban waste and creating better spaces for cities to live, work and gather.

Under the Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban 2.0, launched in October 2021, cities across India are undertaking the transformation of legacy dumpsites into productive and environmentally sustainable spaces.

The scale of this effort is reflected in the 3.66 crore metric tonnes of legacy waste remediated between January and December 2025. During this time, 459 Urban Local Bodies across 29 States achieved complete dumpsite remediation.

The Lakshya Zero Dumpsite initiative under this mission is driving a structured and time-bound effort to scientifically remediate such sites across States and Urban Local Bodies.

Gorakhpur

In Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh, a 40-acre site once stood as a towering mound of accumulated municipal waste. For seven years, it served as the city’s primary waste disposal site. The growing waste mound affected the surrounding environment and created difficult living conditions for nearby residents.

The site was scientifically remediated through biomining, with around 400 tonnes of waste processed every day. The process separated the accumulated waste into refuse-derived fuel, black soil, recyclables and inert material.

Recovered black soil was used for filling low-lying areas, while refuse-derived fuel went to cement industries for co-processing. Gradually, the waste mound gave way to reclaimed land.

The transformation continued beyond clearing the accumulated waste. The entire 40-acre site was developed into the Kachre Se Kanchan Rapti Eco Park. The new public space now includes green lawns, walking and jogging tracks, and a children’s play area.

An open gym, yoga zone, solar lighting and water conservation structures further expand its public use. Food courts, parking facilities and other amenities have also been incorporated into the park. Several installations made from recycled waste materials highlight the possibilities of resource recovery.

The park has also created space for local livelihoods. The women-led self-help group Shakti Ki Rasoi operates a restaurant within the park. Today, the park attracts around 500 visitors each day. A site once defined by accumulated waste has thus become a space for recreation and community life.