The Municipal Corporation of Delhi is actively pushing for approvals to expand two key waste-to-energy facilities. This move aims to significantly ease the mounting pressure on the city's overburdened landfills. Officials confirm they are awaiting environmental clearance for the Tehkhand plant expansion, with expectations set for the end of February.
Tehkhand Plant Expansion Details
An official from the civic body stated that the proposal is scheduled to go before the environment committee of the Union environment ministry in the first week of February. "We have already made detailed submissions," the official explained. "The process of considering public objections was completed earlier. Considering the deadline for expanding capacity from 2,000 metric tonnes per day to 3,000 metric tonnes is December 2027, we are making our best efforts to accelerate the process."
Four members of a ministry subcommittee, including the member secretary, conducted a site visit to the Tehkhand plant on November 19. They subsequently submitted their report. The expansion promises substantial benefits.
Increased Power and Biogas Production
Power generation at Tehkhand will rise from 25 megawatts per day to 45 megawatts. Furthermore, the upgraded facility will gain the capability to produce up to 20,000 cubic metres of biogas daily from green waste. This biogas can be converted into approximately eight tonnes of bio-CNG, providing a cleaner fuel alternative.
Progress on Okhla Plant Expansion
Simultaneously, MCD is executing a supplementary deed with the private concessionaire operating the Okhla waste-to-energy plant. A crucial step involves securing formal permission from the New Delhi Municipal Council, as the land belongs to NDMC. The civic body has written to NDMC seeking approval before signing an extended 20-year land lease agreement with the current concessionaire.
"The concessionaire has already placed orders for boilers and is procuring other equipment," an official noted. The supplementary deed is necessary to formally incorporate the revised processing capacity, updated implementation timelines, and additional responsibilities of the concessionaire. An NDMC official confirmed that documents received from MCD are currently under examination.
Okhla's Approved Expansion Plan
MCD received environmental clearance in 2023 for the Okhla plant's expansion. The plan increases daily waste processing from 1,950 metric tonnes to 2,950 metric tonnes. Power generation will correspondingly rise from 23 megawatts to 40 megawatts per day. The deadline for completing this expansion is March 2027.
Delhi's Waste Management Challenge
Delhi generates a staggering amount of municipal solid waste daily—approximately 11,500 metric tonnes. Currently, only about 7,500 metric tonnes of this waste is processed at the city's waste-to-energy plants. While three facilities are operational at Okhla, Ghazipur, and Narela-Bawana, their combined capacity remains inadequate to handle the total waste load. This shortfall contributes directly to the strain on landfills.
The planned expansions at Tehkhand and Okhla represent critical steps toward a more sustainable waste management system for the national capital. By boosting processing capacity and energy output, these projects aim to turn a growing urban problem into a valuable resource.
