Khattar Announces Diwali Bonus For Sanitation Workers At Delhi Landfill Sites

Union Minister Manohar Lal Khattar announced on Wednesday that sanitation workers at Delhi’s three landfill sites—Bhalswa, Ghazipur, and Okhla—will receive a Rs 5,000 Diwali incentive to honour their contributions to the Swachh Bharat Mission. Speaking at the Bhalswa landfill during the ongoing 'Seva Pakhwada' (service fortnight), Khattar also committed to personally overseeing the cleanup of these sites, urging the Delhi government to collaborate with relevant agencies to expedite waste management efforts.

The announcement coincided with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s birthday, celebrated with nationwide cleanliness initiatives under the Swachh Bharat Mission. In a Hindi post on X, Khattar highlighted two key measures for landfill workers, including Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) employees, sanitation staff, and drivers: the Rs 5,000 festive bonus and free health check-ups. He emphasised that ensuring the safety and dignity of these workers reflects the mission’s ethos of service. During his visit, Khattar reviewed legacy waste disposal operations, inspected the Bhalswa site, and participated in a tree plantation drive under the “One Tree in the Name of Mother” campaign, joined by Delhi’s Urban Development Minister Ashish Sood, Mayor Sardar Raja Iqbal Singh, and other officials.

Khattar revealed that the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) is facilitating cleanup by providing land and logistical support, with 25 acres already reclaimed through bioremediation. Five acres now host a bamboo garden, while the rest support sanitation machinery. To enhance efficiency, fresh and legacy waste will now be processed separately. The minister called on Delhi’s citizens to adopt cleanliness practices, especially ahead of festivals like Navratri and Dussehra, to sustain the campaign’s momentum.

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Delhi officials reported significant progress at Bhalswa, where the landfill’s height has dropped by 15 metres, and legacy waste has reduced from 73 lakh to 43 lakh metric tonnes, despite ongoing fresh waste inflow. Reclaimed waste is being repurposed for power generation, tile production, and land restoration. Sood stressed the government’s vision to transform Delhi into a clean, green capital, describing the initiative as a step toward restoring the city’s environmental dignity.

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