Three waste-to-energy plants responsible for air pollution in Delhi, NGT said

NEW DELHI: A joint observation committee of Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) reported National Green Tribunal (NGT) that the Waste-to-Energy Plants at Okhla, Ghazipur, and Bawana in New Delhi are not complying to the emission standards and are causing pollution in the national capital. The bench was headed by NGT chairpersons Justice AK Goel.

Keeping the report in mind, the bench said if the project supporters fail to maintain the standards, even after rectifying the deficiencies noticed in the joint inspection report, the CPCB may impose the fine for the environmental damage caused by them.

The NGT also ordered the CPCB to forward a copy of the report to the project officials of Okhla, Ghazipur and Bawana Waste-to-Energy Plant to conduct another inspection till October 30.

The bench said, “We do not find any ground to accept the prayer for relieving the CPCB of its requirement in monthly monitoring. If there is a manpower constraint, it is for the CPCB to make any other appropriate arrangement for discharging its functions. This cannot be a ground to avoid responsibility under the binding directions of this tribunal.”

The board had earlier appointed the Delhi government and the civic bodies to submit an action plan for setting up alternate waste-to-energy plants in New Delhi.

NGT had said it was unfortunate that at a time when the city was struggling with 14,000 metric tonnes waste problem on a daily basis, the authorities were blaming others and showing an irresponsible behavior.

With the rapid development and massive urbanisation of the metropolis, the waste generation was increasing on a daily basis which has resulted in the saturation of the existing landfill sites which can handle only up to 7,000 metric tonnes of waste, the tribunal had said.