Delhi's Waste-to-Energy Expansion Faces Environmental Clearance Delays
The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) is urgently working to expand the waste-to-energy plant at Tehkhand, but the project is currently stalled due to pending environmental clearance from the expert committee of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC).
Proposal and Committee Queries
Earlier this month, MCD submitted a proposal to increase the plant's daily intake capacity from 2,000 metric tonnes to 3,000 metric tonnes. However, during a virtual meeting, the expert committee raised several queries regarding emissions, air quality impact, regulatory checks, and other related issues. Officials are now awaiting the meeting minutes to understand the exact requirements and plan their responses in a time-bound manner.
An official stated, "We are making best efforts to accelerate the process and will submit replies promptly once we have the details from the committee."
Timeline and Inspection Details
This delay comes despite MCD setting a deadline last year to complete the expansion by December 2027. After receiving approval, the expansion typically takes 12 to 14 months to implement and make the plant operational. In November, a subcommittee from MoEFCC, including the member secretary, inspected the Tehkhand plant, and their report has been forwarded to the expert committee for a final decision.
Benefits of the Expansion
If approved, the expansion will significantly enhance the plant's capabilities. Power generation is expected to rise from the current 25 megawatts to 45 megawatts per day. Additionally, the plant will gain the ability to produce up to 20,000 cubic metres of biogas daily from green waste, which can be converted into approximately eight tonnes of Bio-CNG, supporting renewable energy goals.
Parallel Expansion at Okhla Plant
In related developments, MCD has secured necessary approvals from its deliberative wing for expanding the Okhla waste-to-energy plant. The plan is to increase its capacity from 1,950 metric tonnes to 2,950 metric tonnes per day. However, this expansion also requires approval from the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC), which owns the land.
The official added, "We have forwarded the proposal to the NDMC chairman and are proceeding with equipment procurement, including boilers, while installation work has already begun." A supplementary deed is needed to formalize the revised capacity and timelines with the private concessionaire operating the plant.
For the Okhla expansion, MCD received environmental clearance in 2023, with power generation set to increase from 23 megawatts to 40 megawatts per day, and a completion deadline of March 2027.
