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Delhi's Waste Crisis: New Sites for Processing Plants
29 Oct
Summary
- Delhi seeks new land for processing plants due to overflowing landfills.
- Over 5,800 tonnes of waste remain unprocessed daily in the city.
- Waste generation projected to double by 2047, exacerbating the crisis.
The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) has formally requested land from the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) to establish new garbage-processing plants. This urgent plea stems from the city's critically oversaturated landfill sites, which are struggling to accommodate the daily influx of untreated waste. Land parcels have been identified in four villages across the Narela and Najafgarh zones.
Currently, Delhi processes only 57% of its daily waste, leaving approximately 5,800 tonnes of unprocessed garbage to accumulate. Projections indicate that waste generation could surpass 25,000 tonnes daily by 2047, intensifying the existing challenge. Past attempts to introduce new waste processing facilities have faced significant local opposition from residents.
As a short-term measure, the MCD is establishing five new waste processing plants. However, land scarcity in Delhi remains a primary obstacle to long-term waste management solutions. Environmental experts advocate for decentralized waste segregation and composting, contrasting with the authorities' continued reliance on waste-to-energy plants.
Delhi operates four waste-to-energy plants with a combined capacity of 6,550 tonnes per day. Modernizing these facilities has encountered delays and operational issues, including a composting plant closure and reprimands from the National Green Tribunal regarding a waste-to-energy plant's frequent breakdowns.
