Gurgaon generates over 1,20,000 kg of bio-medical waste per month, while the Damdama plant processes less than 70,000 kg of city's share, as per a response to an RTI query. The Damdana plant, called Vulcan Waste Management, runs at a capacity of 150kg/hour, with an average of 8-12 hours per day. Therefore, per month, it can only process about 54,000 kg waste.

This amount usually comprises waste from both Rewari and Gurgaon, which is less than the total amount generated by Gurgaon alone.

"Even if the plant is run for 24 hours, it can't process more than 1,08,000 kg biomedical waste in one month, which is far less than the amount generated by Gurgaon alone," said AseemTakyar, the RTI applicant.

"If hazardous waste is allowed to lie around for a long period of time, it can cause air pollution and contaminate groundwater. So having enough capacity to process biomedical waste should be a priority," said citizens' activist RuchikaSethi, who focuses on waste segregation and processing.

Officials of the Haryana state pollution control board (HSPCB), which is responsible for enforcing the Bio-Medical Waste (Management & Handling) Rules, 1998, agreed that the plant needs an upgradation to process larger loads. However, on their part, they are taking meaures to reduce the load by insulating about 1,600 kg waste at 1000 degree Celsius and sending the remaining to the processing plant.

"During our last meeting with senior officials of the board, the need to increase the plant's capacity was discussed. In fact, the authorised company has even bought a new unit that can process 500 kg waste per hour. But it is waiting for environmental clearance, which is expected to be given in less than six months," said an official of HSPCB, on condition of anonymity.