The Okhla Waste-to-Energy (WTE) plant in Delhi is a pivotal infrastructure project with a capacity to process 1,950 tonnes of solid waste daily (TPD) and generate 21 megawatts (MW) of electricity. While it plays a critical role in managing the city’s mounting waste and contributing to its energy needs, the plant has become a contentious issue, raising significant health and environmental concerns.
The Promise of WTE Plants
WTE plants like the one in Okhla are often seen as a modern solution to urban waste management, reducing the dependence on landfills and simultaneously generating renewable energy. With Delhi producing approximately 11,500 tonnes of municipal solid waste daily, the plant helps address a critical challenge of waste disposal, offering a sustainable alternative on paper.
The Challenges
Despite its potential benefits, the Okhla WTE plant has drawn widespread criticism due to its environmental impact and its proximity to densely populated areas. The plant, located just 45 meters from Sukhdev Vihar DDA Flats, Haji Colony, and within the explosion impact zone of Jamia Millia Islamia University, raises serious safety and health concerns. Residents in Okhla and nearby areas are constantly exposed to harmful emissions round the clock.
Reports of respiratory ailments, persistent coughing, eye irritation, and other health issues among residents are linked to the plant’s emissions. The facility burns mixed waste, often without proper segregation, releasing toxic pollutants like dioxins, furans, and fine particulate matter that are dangerous to both human health and the environment.
Regulatory Gaps and Oversight
The Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) for the National Capital Region (NCR) does not mention restrictions on Waste-to-Energy (WTE) plants, leaving a regulatory void. While GRAP targets emissions from vehicles, industries, and power plants, WTE incineration remains overlooked. This is concerning because the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) categorises WTE incineration as a “red category” industry due to its high pollution index, caused by:
– Flue gas discharges, including SOx, NOx, HCL, PM, dioxins, and furans.
– Toxic water effluent.
– Hazardous bottom/fly ash requiring scientific disposal in secure landfills.
Despite official reprimands for violating pollution norms, the Okhla plant continues to operate and expand, heightening risks for surrounding communities.
Impact on the Community
The plant’s location has turned nearby residential areas into pollution hotspots. Residents of Sukhdev Vihar, Haji Colony, Jamia Nagar, and Jasola Vihar have faced chronic health issues, degraded quality of life, and disrupted daily routines.
During winter, when air pollution in Delhi peaks, emissions from the plant worsen the city’s smog problem, pushing air quality indices into hazardous zones.
A Way Forward
While the Okhla WTE plant addresses Delhi’s waste crisis, its operational model needs urgent reform. Essential steps include:
1. Enhanced Waste Segregation: Sorting waste at the source to minimize harmful emissions.
2. Stricter Emission Controls: Using advanced filtration systems and ensuring compliance with pollution norms.
3. Relocation of High-Risk Plants: Moving WTE plants away from densely populated areas to safeguard health.
4. Health Impact Studies: Conducting comprehensive research on the plant’s effects on nearby residents.
5. Community Involvement: Engaging local communities in decisions about the plant’s operations and expansions.
The Okhla WTE plant represents the complexities of managing urban waste while safeguarding public health and the environment. Authorities must take decisive action to balance infrastructural needs with the well-being of residents. For Delhi to achieve a sustainable future, it must address the shortcomings of WTE plants and prioritise the health of its citizens alongside its development goals.
