Neighbours Dumping Garbage On Your Vacant Plot? Here’s Where To Complain

Last Updated:October 21, 2025, 16:52 IST

If the municipal corporation doesn’t resolve the issue or conflicts escalate, one can approach the police with a written complaint stating the neighbour’s actions

Evidence is essential for officials to take swift action. (AI Generated/News18 Hindi)

Across many neighbourhoods in India, vacant plots have increasingly become dumping grounds for household waste. What often starts with one person’s negligence soon turns into a collective habit, creating unsanitary conditions and sparking complaints among residents.

The fear of confrontation frequently leaves individuals silent, exacerbating the problem. However, there are effective measures to address this issue and restore the cleanliness of the plot.

File A Complaint Online Or By Phone

Initially, attempt to explain calmly to the neighbour why disposing of trash on the plot is inappropriate. In some cases, this straightforward communication is enough. However, if the neighbour continues to disregard requests, more stringent action is required.

Complaints can be lodged with the local municipal corporation. Many cities have dedicated helplines, portals, or apps for addressing cleanliness and illegal dumping issues.

For instance, Delhi has the MCD app, and Mumbai has the BMC portal. These platforms allow residents to file complaints online or by phone, prompting officials to inspect the area and take action against the offending neighbour, potentially imposing fines or arranging for the site to be cleaned.

Keep Evidence

To strengthen the complaint, it is vital to gather evidence. Take photographs or videos of the dumped trash, documenting the location, date, and time. Including this evidence in the complaint can expedite the response.

Just as witnesses are crucial in court, evidence is essential for officials to take swift action. Often, a warning is sufficient to deter neighbours from continuing their irresponsible behaviour.

Seek Police Help

If the municipal corporation fails to resolve the issue or if the situation escalates into conflicts, seek assistance from the police. File a written complaint at the nearest police station, explaining that the neighbour’s actions are creating a public health hazard.

If proven, the neighbour could face up to six months in jail. Should the police be unable to resolve the matter, escalate it to the area SDM office by filing a written complaint, which will prompt higher-level intervention.

Such incidents are common in India, especially in urban colonies. The accumulation of rubbish attracts mosquitoes, spreads diseases, and devalues the property.

As villages have panchayats to resolve disputes, cities have government systems in place. Filing a complaint is straightforward—using the phone or downloading the relevant app makes it easy. Many cities have designated numbers for cleanliness issues, such as 1916 or 155304.

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