Waste-to-energy plants polluting air, NGT told

A JOINT INSPECTION PANEL OF THE CPCB AND DPCC INSPECTED THE PLANTS ACROSS DELHI

NEW DELHI: The waste-to-energy plants at Okhla, Ghazipur and Bawana in the national Capital are not complying with emission standards and are causing air pollution, a committee has informed the National Green Tribunal.

A joint inspection committee of Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) told a bench headed by NGT chairperson Justice A K Goel that the three plants are not complying with the standards of the particulate matter.

Taking note of the report, the green court said if the project proponents fail to maintain the standards, even after rectifying the deficiencies noticed in the joint inspection report, the Central Pollution Control Board may recommend imposition of fine for the environmental damage caused by them.

The NGT also directed the CPCB to send a copy of its report to the project proponents of Okhla, Ghazipur and Bawana waste-to-energy plants for compliance and conduct another inspection within a month in view of the fact that the earlier inspection was carried out in February.

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

NGT had earlier directed the Delhi government and the civic bodies to submit an action plan for identifying alternative landfill sites and setting up waste-toenergy plants in the city.

It had said that it was unfortunate that at a time when Delhi was grappling with the huge quantum of waste to the tune of 14,000 metric tonnes daily, the authorities were involved in a “blame game” and showing an irresponsible attitude.

With the rapid development and massive urbanisation, the waste generation was increasing daily 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.