Gurgaon Municipal Officials Tour Delhi's Waste-to-Energy Facility
Senior officials from the Municipal Corporation of Gurgaon recently visited Delhi's Okhla Tehkhand waste-to-energy plant. They conducted a detailed study of the facility's technology and daily operations. This exposure visit comes as the Haryana government moves forward with plans to establish a similar waste-to-energy plant in Manesar.
Delegation Examines Waste Processing Technology
The MCG delegation included several key officials. State Urban Local Bodies director Ashok Kumar Meena led the group. MCG commissioner Pradeep Dahiya participated alongside additional commissioners Yash Jaluka, Ravinder Yadav and Ankita Chaudhary. Executive engineer Sundar Sheoran from the Swachh Bharat Mission also joined the visit.
Plant operators provided the officials with comprehensive technical presentations. They covered multiple aspects of waste processing. The presentations detailed solid waste segregation methods and combustion processes. Officials learned about emission control systems and electricity generation techniques.
Guided Tour and Expert Interactions
The delegation undertook a thorough guided tour of the entire facility. They examined waste processing operations firsthand. Officials interacted extensively with technical experts during their visit. These discussions focused on understanding day-to-day plant operations. Environmental safeguard measures received particular attention during these exchanges.
The Okhla Tehkhand plant processes approximately 1,550 metric tonnes of waste daily. This substantial capacity demonstrated the potential scale of waste-to-energy operations. Officials observed how the plant converts municipal solid waste into usable electricity.
Haryana's Waste-to-Energy Plans
This visit follows the state government's announcement about establishing three waste-to-energy facilities. One plant will operate at the Bandhwari landfill site. Another facility will serve Faridabad. The Manesar plant represents the third proposed location.
Officials explained the purpose behind their Delhi visit. They aimed to familiarize urban local bodies with modern waste-to-energy technologies. These technologies could potentially be replicated across Haryana. "Such projects provide dual benefits," one official noted. "They address solid waste management challenges while contributing to clean energy generation and environmental conservation."
Project Background and Environmental Concerns
The visit occurred months after the state government announced its waste-to-energy plans. Previously, authorities had proposed a waste-to-charcoal plant at Bandhwari. Reports indicate this project has now been shelved. The waste-to-energy initiative has shifted to Manesar instead.
Environmental activists have consistently opposed both waste-to-charcoal and waste-to-energy plants. Environmentalist Vaishali Rana expressed strong reservations. "Establishing waste-to-energy facilities contradicts the Solid Waste Management Rules of 2016," she stated. "The rules clearly mandate different approaches. Dry waste should undergo recycling processes. Wet waste requires composting at source locations. Only residual or inert waste should proceed to disposal facilities like cement plants or waste-to-energy operations."
Current Waste Management Challenges
The Municipal Corporation of Gurgaon faces significant waste management issues. Legacy waste continues accumulating at the Bandhwari landfill site. This presents ongoing environmental challenges for the region.
The National Green Tribunal recently criticized authorities for delays. Specifically, the tribunal noted slow progress in issuing tenders for fresh waste processing at Bandhwari. These delays have exacerbated the existing environmental crisis.
Officials believe the technical knowledge gained from the Delhi visit will prove valuable. This understanding should assist MCG and other urban bodies in planning future projects. Waste-to-energy initiatives align with broader national goals. They support the Swachh Bharat Mission objectives and contribute to sustainable development targets.
The Association of Municipalities and Development Authorities organized this exposure visit. Such initiatives help municipal officials learn from existing successful operations. They can then apply these lessons to local waste management challenges across Haryana.
