Indian economy is expected to grow rapidly over the coming decades with increasing urbanization, industrialization and consequent demand for infrastructure. Generation of increasing amounts of construction and demolition (C&D) waste is a natural consequence of these processes. While there has been recognition of the challenge of managing C&D waste at the policy level, on the ground, progress remains limited. C&DWaste Management Rules, 2016 require all states to implement a policy and each city with a population of 500,000 to have established a functional waste processing facility by March 2019. This analysis concluded that compliance was less than a fifth (20%), i.e. only six out of thirty-six states and union territories had issued a policy or a draft version of the policy for managing C&D waste. Further, of forty-four cities in the dataset, nine i.e. less than fourth (25%) had an operational facility. The overall compliance level is well below one in ten i.e. compliance is more an exception, than a norm. Even the cities with an operational facility require significant upgradation, management support and capacity development to ensure compliance with the spirit and the word of the law. Therefore, a systematic approach towards data collection, capacity development, raising awareness, attracting private sector capital and management expertise in developing recycling facilities and quality control of recycled materials is recommended to address the challenge of scientifically managing large quantities of C&D waste.
