Home / Environment / Delhi Landfills Overflow: Waste Crisis Deepens
Delhi Landfills Overflow: Waste Crisis Deepens
13 Apr
Summary
- Okhla landfill has over 2.6 million tonnes of waste.
- Bhalswa landfill carries a burden of nearly 4.8 million tonnes.
- Delhi generates over 14,000 tonnes of municipal waste daily.
New Delhi's primary landfill sites at Okhla, Bhalswa, and Ghazipur are facing significant waste management challenges. As of December-end, Okhla contained approximately 2.64 million metric tonnes of waste, including legacy and fresh accumulation. The Bhalswa site carries a heavier load, with nearly 4.8 million metric tonnes.
Ghazipur, one of the most visible "garbage mountains," holds the largest burden at over 7.7 million metric tonnes. Delhi generates over 14,000 tonnes of municipal solid waste daily, with recent collections ranging from 14,076 to 14,656 tonnes.
New installations to process fresh waste into manure are expected to begin operation within weeks, aiming to increase processing capacity. While Delhi's waste processing facilities handle between 17,621 and 18,396 tonnes daily, a significant gap persists.
The Delhi Economic Survey 2025-26 indicated a daily generation of nearly 11,862 tonnes of waste against a processing capacity of 7,641 tonnes, leaving a deficit of about 4,200 tonnes per day. Sustained biomining and waste-to-energy efforts are gradually reducing the accumulated waste, but the decades-old buildup necessitates a long-term cleanup strategy.
