Published: 13 March 2026PIB / MoHUAEnvironment
Dumpsite Remediation Accelerator Programme (DRAP): India Targets Zero Dumpsites by September 2026
The Dumpsite Remediation Accelerator Programme (DRAP), launched by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) in November 2025 and featured prominently in current affairs on March 14, 2026, is a one-year targeted initiative to scientifically remediate all legacy waste dumpsites in urban India by September 2026 — supporting the Swachh Bharat Mission Urban 2.0 (SBM-U 2.0) goal.
India has approximately 2,476 identified dumpsites collectively holding about 25 crore metric tonnes of legacy waste spread over nearly 15,000 acres. DRAP prioritises 214 major dumpsites across 202 Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) where around 80% of the waste is concentrated. The programme uses biomining technology — spreading legacy waste in rows, exposing it to air, and treating it with microbes to speed decomposition. The output is then screened into categories: soil-like fines (used as daily cover or in construction), and recyclables (bricks, stones, metals, plastics). The Centre provides financial assistance of ₹550 per tonne for remediation. Reclaimed land is reused for parks, community facilities, and waste management infrastructure. For Rajasthan, cities like Jaipur, Jodhpur, and Kota have significant legacy waste challenges, and DRAP's biomining approach offers a scalable solution for arid-climate dumpsites.
0Mains angle
Q: Evaluate the Dumpsite Remediation Accelerator Programme as a tool for legacy waste management under Swachh Bharat Mission Urban 2.0, with relevance to Rajasthan.
Answer (50 words):
DRAP, launched November 2025 by MoHUA, targets zero dumpsites by September 2026, prioritising 214 sites across 202 Urban Local Bodies that hold most of India's 25 crore tonnes legacy waste spread over 15,000 acres. Using biomining with 550 rupees per tonne Centre support, it offers Jaipur, Jodhpur and Kota scalable arid-climate remediation.
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Practice MCQ from this story
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Linked questionMedium
With reference to the Dumpsite Remediation Accelerator Programme (DRAP), consider the following statements:
1. DRAP was launched by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) in November 2025.
2. The programme targets the remediation of 214 major dumpsites across 202 Urban Local Bodies.
3. The central government provides financial assistance of ₹550 per tonne for remediation.
4. DRAP aims to achieve Zero Dumpsite India by December 2026.
Which of the above statements are CORRECT?
Explanation · Correct answer AStatements 1, 2 and 3 are correct. DRAP was launched by MoHUA in November 2025 to accelerate remediation of high-impact legacy dumpsites. The official concept note prioritised 214 major dumpsites across 202 ULBs, and MoHUA support is assessed at about Rs 550 per tonne under SBM-U 2.0 guidelines. Statement 4 is incorrect because the programme target is Zero Dumpsites by September 2026, not December 2026.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Dumpsite Remediation Accelerator Programme (DRAP) and when was it launched?
DRAP is a programme launched in November 2025 by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) under Swachh Bharat Mission–Urban (SBM-U) 2.0. It aims to achieve 'Zero Dumpsite India' by remediation of 214 major dumpsites across 202 Urban Local Bodies by September 2026.
What technology does DRAP use to process legacy waste and how much financial support does the central government provide?
DRAP uses biomining technology to process legacy waste and convert it into usable materials while reclaiming land. The central government provides financial support of ₹550 per tonne for clearing legacy waste.
How much legacy waste does DRAP target and how much land does it cover?
DRAP targets clearance of approximately 25 crore metric tonnes of legacy waste spread over 15,000 acres of land across India.
What is Swachh Bharat Mission–Urban 2.0 (SBM-U 2.0) and when was it launched?
SBM-U 2.0 was launched on October 1, 2021, with a total outlay of ₹1.41 lakh crore. It focuses on complete waste management including legacy waste clearance and is the umbrella programme under which DRAP operates.
How many Urban Local Bodies are covered under DRAP for dumpsite remediation?
DRAP covers 202 Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) with a target to remediate 214 major dumpsites across these bodies to achieve a Zero Dumpsite India by September 2026.
