NGT irked over delay in operationalisation of Bawana plant

The National Green Tribunal today pulled up the Delhi government and North Delhi Municipal Corporation (NDMC) for inordinate delay in operationalising Bawana waste-to-energy plant.
The green panel issued notice to the project proponent of Bawana plant while seeking its reply as to why it has not been made operational till date.
"Why are you (NDMC and project proponent) not commissioning the waste-to-energy plant ? We have been passing directions since last one year. People are suffering, waste is lying here and there but you are doing nothing. You people are funny," a bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar said.

During the proceedings, the counsel for the project proponent of Bawana plant told the bench that it was ready to operationalise the plant but it has not got the no objection certificate for water and authorisation letter from NDMC.
The tribunal also slammed the municipal corporation for for burning of garbage in Rohini area here and directed it to submit a report in this regard.
"Why were you (NDMC) burning garbage in the open. You think you have issued public advertisements and your job is done. This won't do. Give us a report as to who is responsible for this," the bench said while posting the matter for next hearing on January 28.

On December 17, last year, the green bench had constituted a 'high-powered team' to inspect waste-to-energy plants at Ghazipur and Bawana while seeking a report within three weeks.
It had also directed all municipal corporations of Delhi and Delhi Cantonment Board to put forward a proposal for collection and segregation of municipal solid waste.
The tribunal was hearing a plea by Sukhdev Vihar Residents Welfare Association praying for closure of Okhla waste-to- energy plant alleging that it uses illegal mass burning technology, causing air pollution.