Haryana Constitutes Committee to Develop Waste-to-Energy Project Framework for Major Municipal Corporations
In a significant move to bolster scientific municipal solid waste management, the Directorate of Urban Local Bodies (ULB) in Haryana has officially constituted a high-level committee. This committee is tasked with preparing a comprehensive model draft Request for Proposal (RFP) specifically for waste-to-energy projects. The initiative targets major municipal corporations across the state, including Gurgaon, Faridabad, and Hisar, and will be executed under the public-private partnership (PPP) mode.
Committee Composition and Mandate
The newly formed committee comprises key municipal officials to ensure localized expertise and efficient execution. Members include Dhirendra Khadgata, Commissioner of the Municipal Corporation of Faridabad; Pradeep Dahiya, Chief of the Municipal Corporation of Gurgaon (MCG); Niraj, Chief of the Hisar civic body; along with MCG Additional Commissioners Ankita Chaudhary and Yash Jaluka. According to the official ULB order, this team has been directed to complete detailed assessments for their respective municipal corporations within a strict timeline of 20 days.
Scope of Assessments and Project Details
The committee's assessments will encompass a broad spectrum of critical factors essential for project viability. These include preparing a techno-economic and feasibility report, identifying suitable project sites, arranging power evacuation infrastructure, framing a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) framework, and accurately assessing the quantity of waste available. In Gurgaon, significant progress has already been made, with MCG Commissioner Pradeep Dahiya confirming the identification of a 20-acre land parcel in Manesar for the plant. This land, belonging to the Haryana State Industrial and Infrastructure Development Corporation (HSIIDC), is currently in the process of being transferred for the project.
Alignment with Swachh Bharat Mission and Environmental Considerations
The initiative is strategically aligned with the objectives of the Swachh Bharat Mission (Urban), aiming to strengthen scientific municipal solid waste management across Haryana. The development of waste-to-energy facilities has been pinpointed as a key intervention to ensure the scientific processing of municipal solid waste, thereby reducing dependence on traditional landfill sites. Beyond initial assessments, the committee will also estimate project costs, examine environmental requirements, and outline arrangements for the disposal of residual waste to ensure comprehensive planning.
Expert Opinions and Regulatory Context
However, the push for waste-to-energy projects is not without controversy and expert scrutiny. Gauri Sarin, Convener of Gurgaon Residents Against Pollution and Making Model Gurgaon, highlighted historical challenges, noting that such projects have seen several attempts in the city over the past two decades. While once viewed as a solution to mounting waste problems, there is growing understanding that they may conflict with decentralized and sustainable waste management systems as outlined in the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016. Sarin pointed to evidence of pollution from such plants, suggesting they should only be considered if no other options are available and must employ controlled pollution technology.
Echoing these concerns, environmentalist Vaishali Rana emphasized that setting up waste-to-energy plants could contravene the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016. These rules mandate that dry waste should be recycled, wet waste should be composted at the source, and only the remaining inert or residual waste should be directed to cement plants or waste-to-energy facilities for disposal. This regulatory framework underscores the need for a balanced approach that prioritizes recycling and composting before energy recovery.
Broader Implications and Future Steps
The ULB order also referenced guidance from the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, which has issued a model RFP to assist states and ULBs in structuring technically sound and financially viable waste-to-energy projects. This state-level committee's work will thus build upon national frameworks to tailor solutions for Haryana's urban centers. As the committee advances its assessments over the next 20 days, stakeholders will closely monitor developments, balancing the potential for energy generation against environmental sustainability and regulatory compliance. The outcomes could set a precedent for waste management strategies not only in Haryana but potentially across other Indian states grappling with similar urban waste challenges.
