Delhi's Waste Crisis: New Plants to Tackle 7,750 TPD

Delhi's government has outlined an ambitious waste management strategy set for completion by December 2028. This plan involves establishing two new Waste to Energy (WtE) plants, expanding two existing ones, and constructing two bio-gas plants, collectively boosting the city's capacity to manage an additional 7,750 tonnes of solid waste per day. This proactive measure follows a February 2023 NGT order imposing an environmental compensation of ₹2,232 crore on the government for non-compliance with Solid Waste Rules, 2016.

The comprehensive plan includes the complete bio-mining of legacy waste across Delhi's three major landfill sites by December 2027, with specific deadlines for Okhla (July 2026) and Bhalswa (December 2026). This effort addresses the significant volume of legacy waste accumulated over years. Furthermore, the civic bodies are striving for 100% waste collection and source segregation, with a particular focus on bulk-waste generators.

To meet future demands and cover the municipal solid waste generation gap, Delhi's Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) is proposing new waste processing facilities with a total additional capacity of 7,750 TPD. The government also reported progress in segregation at source, aiming for 100% by March 2026, with varying rates among different civic bodies like NDMC and Delhi Cantonment Board.