Use better tech to segregate waste: NGT to Okhla plant

The Okhla waste-to-energy plant has been warned by the National Green Tribunal on Wednesday that it would be shut down if it did not urgently install equipment to segregate solid waste and continued to burn it, adding to pollution.

The Central Pollution Control Board and Delhi Pollution Control Committee were also directed to inspect the plant and ensure segregation of municipal solid waste.

The NGT also pulled up the plant authorities for causing pollution by burning waste and making the air toxic for residents of Sukhdev Vihar in South Delhi. A bench headed by NGT chairperson Swatanter Kumar directed immediate installation of segregators of improved technology at the plant.

“We will shut you (plant) down if you do not install improved segregators to the satisfaction of member secretaries of CPCB and DPCC,” the bench said.

“It is a commonly conceded position before us that the segregator is not working properly... We direct the project proponent to immediately take all necessary steps and install improved technology so that segregation of municipal solid waste can be done,” the bench headed by Justice Kumar said on Wednesday.

The project proponent of the plant was also asked to file an affidavit within a week providing details of steps taken to ensure scientific and complete segregation of waste.

The NGT also asked the member secretaries of CPCB and DPCC to visit and inspect the plant on November 19-20 to observe the functioning of the segregator and submit their observations within two weeks.

“The improvement proposed by the project proponent be examined by the member secretaries who shall be present before us on the next date of hearing on December 14.”

The tribunal’s direction came on an application filed by Sukhdev Vihar Residents Welfare Association praying for closure of the plant alleging that it uses illegal mass burning technology, causing air pollution.