DUMP SITE REMEDIATION ACCELERATION PLAN

1. At a Glance

• DRAP (Dumpsite Remediation Accelerator/Acceleration Programme) is a Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs (MoHUA) initiative under Swachh Bharat Mission–Urban 2.0 (SBM-U 2.0) to fast-track scientific clearance of 214 legacy waste dumpsites accounting for ~80% of India's remaining legacy waste [S1][S2].
• Aspirants must track it because it operationalises the "Lakshya: Zero Dumpsites" vision and links waste management to urban land reclamation, circular economy and SDG-11/12 [S2].

2. Why in the News

• PIB release dated 29 January 2026 updated national legacy-waste remediation status and reiterated DRAP's September 2026 deadline [S1].
• DRAP was launched in November 2025, with the Lakshya Zero Dumpsite drive flagged off thereafter [S2].

3. Background & Evolution

• SBM-U launched 2 October 2014; SBM-U 2.0 launched 1 October 2021 with legacy-waste remediation as a core vertical [S2].
• A national audit identified 2,488 dumpsites (>1,000 tonnes each) holding ~25 crore MT of legacy waste [S1].
• DRAP (Nov 2025) carved out the top 214 sites from this universe for accelerated action by Sept 2026 [S1][S2].
• Predecessor models: Rajkot's bio-remediation of 16 lakh tonnes, converted into a 20-acre urban forest under SBM-U [S3].

4. Core Static Facts

• Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs (MoHUA) [S1].
• Umbrella Mission: Swachh Bharat Mission–Urban 2.0 [S2].
• Universe: 2,488 legacy dumpsites; 25 Cr MT waste [S1].
• Progress reported (Jan 2026): 1,138 fully remediated; 1,020 in progress; 15.51 Cr MT (62%) waste cleared; 8,484.15 acres (56%) land reclaimed [S1].
• DRAP scope: 214 dumpsites, 200 ULBs, 30 States/UTs, ~8.6 Cr MT waste = 80% of residual legacy waste [S1][S2].
• Deadline: September 2026 (per PIB 29 Jan 2026) / October 2026 (Lakshya target) [S1][S2].
• Funding norm: ₹550 per tonne unit cost under SBM-U 2.0 operational guidelines; additional case-to-case central assistance against city micro-plans [S2].
• Methods: Bio-mining / bio-remediation (RDF, compost, inert separation) [S3].

5. Multi-Dimensional Analysis

Environmental - Eliminates methane emissions, leachate contamination and surface fires at urban dumpsites [S2]. - Aligns with Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016 (MoEFCC) mandate for scientific closure of dumpsites. Economic / Urban - Reclaims prime peri-urban land (8,484 acres so far) for parks, housing, infrastructure [S1]. - Cost-benchmarked at ₹550/MT — keeps fiscal outgo predictable [S2]. Administrative / Federal - Centre funds and monitors; ULBs execute through DBOT/PPP tenders; micro-plans vetted by MoHUA [S2]. - Bottleneck: heterogeneous ULB capacity, land litigation, lack of off-take for RDF. Social - Rag-picker livelihoods and safai mitra suraksha intersect with remediation tenders [S2]. Scientific / Technological - Bio-mining, trommel screening, RDF co-processing in cement kilns — demonstrated at Rajkot [S3].

6. Recent Developments (12–18 months)

• Nov 2025: DRAP formally launched by MoHUA with concept note targeting 214 sites [S2].
• 29 Jan 2026: PIB status update — 62% legacy waste cleared, 56% land reclaimed [S1].
• Ongoing Lakshya: Zero Dumpsites campaign aimed at clearance by October 2026 [S2].
• Rajkot model showcased as replicable bio-remediation template [S3].

7. Prelims Hooks

• DRAP nodal ministry: MoHUA, not MoEFCC [S1].
• Umbrella scheme: SBM-U 2.0 (launched 1 Oct 2021) [S2].
• Total identified legacy dumpsites: 2,488 (>1,000 tonnes each) [S1].
• Total legacy waste universe: ~25 Cr MT [S1].
• DRAP sites: 214; ULBs covered: 200; States/UTs: 30 [S1][S2].
• DRAP share of remaining legacy waste: 80% (~8.6 Cr MT) [S2].
• Waste remediated nationally by Jan 2026: 15.51 Cr MT (62%) [S1].
• Land reclaimed: 8,484.15 acres (56%) [S1].
• Unit cost benchmark: ₹550 per tonne under SBM-U 2.0 [S2].
• Deadline: September 2026 (DRAP) / October 2026 (Lakshya Zero Dumpsites) [S1][S2].
• Status dashboard hosted at sbmurban.org [S1].
• Flagship case study: Rajkot — 16 lakh tonnes cleared, 20-acre urban forest [S3].

8. Mains Relevance

• GS-II: Government policies and interventions — welfare/urban governance; Centre-State implementation.
• GS-III: Environment & Pollution — solid waste management; Urban Infrastructure.
• Probable stems:
• "Discuss how DRAP advances the objectives of SBM-U 2.0 and the SWM Rules 2016. What capacity gaps at the ULB level constrain it?"
• "Legacy dumpsite remediation is as much an urban land-use reform as an environmental intervention. Examine."
• "Evaluate bio-mining as a scalable strategy for India's legacy municipal waste burden."

9. Related Topics to Study Next

• SBM-U 2.0 — parent mission and funding source.
• Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016 — statutory base for dumpsite closure.
• Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016 & EPR 2022 — adjacent waste stream.
• Circular Economy Action Plan (NITI Aayog) — RDF, compost off-take.
• AMRUT 2.0 — urban infrastructure complement.
• National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) — dumpsite fires affect PM levels.
• Swachh Survekshan — ranking framework rewarding remediation.
• GOBARdhan / Waste-to-Energy — downstream utilisation of bio-mined fractions.

10. Common Errors / Trap Areas

• DRAP is under MoHUA, not MoEFCC or Jal Shakti — frequent confusion.
• DRAP is a sub-component of SBM-U 2.0, not a standalone Act-based scheme.
• "2,488" is the universe of dumpsites; "214" is the DRAP shortlist — do not conflate.
• Deadline cited as Sept 2026 in DRAP PIB note; "Lakshya Zero Dumpsites" speaks of Oct 2026 — distinct framings.
• Unit cost is ₹550/MT, not per cubic metre.

11. Sources

• [S1] Dump Site Remediation Acceleration Plan — https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2220347 — (tier 1)
• [S2] Lakshya Zero Dumpsite: India's Drive to Eliminate City Dumpsites under SBM — https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2221171 — (tier 1)
• [S3] Rajkot's Sustainable Model for Dumpsite Remediation — https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2137594 — (tier 1)