Delhi’s Waste Crisis Deepens: NGT Demands MCD’s Detailed Timeline for Landfill Clearance
As rapid urbanization and population growth continue in Delhi, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) faces an escalating challenge in managing the city’s solid waste. The capital generates around 11,500 metric tonnes of waste daily, of which only 7,300 metric tonnes are properly processed. The remaining 4,200 metric tonnes are dumped directly into overburdened landfill sites like Ghazipur, Bhalswa, and Okhla.
These landfills, with mountains of untreated garbage, have become environmental hazards, emitting methane, contaminating groundwater, and severely polluting air and soil.
NGT Cracks Down
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has asked the MCD to file a detailed affidavit outlining when and how the old waste at Ghazipur will be removed. The NGT bench, led by Justice Prakash Srivastava, noted that while 2,400–2,600 metric tonnes of waste are dumped daily at Ghazipur, the nearby waste-to-energy plant can only process 700–1,000 metric tonnes.
Expansion of Waste-to-Energy Projects
In response, MCD has ramped up its waste-to-energy initiatives:
- Narela-Bawana plant: 3,000 MT capacity
- Ghazipur plant: Being expanded to 2,000 MT
- The Okhla plant's daily waste processing capacity is being upgraded from 1,950 to 2,950 metric tonnes.
- Tehkhand plant: Will handle 3,000 MT
- Biogas plants: Under development in Okhla, Ghazipur, Nangli, Goyla, and Ghogha dairies
Cultural Campaign for Cleanliness
To promote public participation in cleanliness, MCD has launched a new swachhta anthem titled "Dilli Nagar Nigam ki hai ye pukar, saaf aangan se pyara na koi uphaar." Mayor Raja Iqbal Singh emphasized it as a call to collective civic responsibility.
Next Hearing on October 10
NGT has directed MCD to submit a complete report before October 10, detailing waste processing strategies, methane capture measures, monthly waste statistics, number of trucks, financial provisions, and the agency responsible for legacy waste removal.
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