Delhi homes to pay higher waste collection charges soon: MCD plans 50% hikes in solid waste management. Check new rates for different colonies

The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) has proposed an increase of nearly 50% in solid waste management user charges and penalties under its draft Solid Waste Management (SWM) Bylaws 2026. The proposed rates will vary according to colony categories, with residents in E to H colonies paying less than those in A to D colonies, officials said.

Under the draft proposal, households in A to D colonies with residential properties of up to 50 square metres will pay Rs 75 a month. The corresponding charge for E to H colonies will be Rs 40. For a residential property measuring 100 square metres, the proposed monthly charge is Rs 150 in A to D colonies and Rs 75 in E to H colonies.

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Why MCD is proposing different rates

Officials said the lower charges in E to H colonies are intended to encourage greater participation in waste management rather than immediately impose the same rates across all categories. “Considering that the SWM rules provide for a 5% increase in user fee and penalty every year since 2018, we are expecting an increase of around 50% in the fee now. But for the colonies in E-H categories, our focus is right now to increase participation,” said an official. The proposed increase follows a provision under which user fees and penalties have been raised by 5% annually since 2018.

MCD has struggled to collect waste charges

The bigger question for the civic body will be implementation. MCD has previously faced resistance while trying to introduce user charges across Delhi. “The civic body had notified the solid waste management bylaws in 2018, but the user fee was not actively implemented or collected due to political and logistical issues. The charges were eventually linked to property tax payments in April 2025, following which residents opposed the move and questioned the quality of sanitation services,” said the official.

The problem has not been limited to Delhi. According to the official, other cities have also faced difficulties in fully implementing similar charges. “Cities such as Mumbai, Noida and Gurgaon have not been able to levy these charges fully,” the official said.

When could the new rules take effect?

MCD is aiming to finalise and implement the revised bylaws by March 2027, according to officials. Before that, the draft will be placed before the MCD House. It will then be sent to the Delhi government's urban development department for approval. The proposed changes therefore still have to go through the civic body's approval process before the revised charges can take effect.

How Delhi's colonies are categorised

MCD divides colonies into different categories based on property tax rates. Category A includes areas such as Vasant Vihar, Shanti Niketan, Maharani Bagh, New Friends Colony and Anand Niketan. Category B includes Defence Colony, Nizamuddin East, Greater Kailash, Hauz Khas, Green Park and Safdarjung Enclave. Category E covers residential colonies in older parts of Delhi and certain extensions. The areas listed under this category include Chandni Chowk, Kashmere Gate, Khirki Extension, Pandav Nagar and Moti Nagar.