NEW DELHI: National Green Tribunal (NGT) rejected an appeal by the residents of SukhdevVihar to relocate the Okhla waste-to-energy plant. The residents had moved NGT, alleging that the plant was causing toxic air pollution in the area, which was taking a toll on their health. The tribunal imposed an environmental compensation of Rs 25 lakh on M/S Jindal Urban Infrastructure Ltd for pollution resulting from "deficient functioning" of the plant and its stack emissions, which didn't meet the prescribed standards.
NGT directed that the amount would be payable in equal amounts to Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) and Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), which will be utilised to control air pollution. The residents, however, said they were disappointed with the order.
"Our case was in NGT for four years. In fact, it's in litigation for seven years now. Earlier, the high court had heard it for three years. The plant is a public health threat," a resident said on condition of anonymity. "We have also highlighted before NGT how the masterplan was violated and the plant came up in a green area, how it uses unapproved technology and many other discrepancies. About 80 doctors had endorsed our campaign. About 10 lakh residents in the colony and surrounding areas will be affected by this order."
Other RWA members said the fine was "paltry" compared to the health impacts suffered. "We have the option of going back to the high court. We are considering what to do," said another resident.
In a 142-page judgment, the tribunal said, "The plant will be permitted to operate subject to the stringent standards and regular inspections and monitoring by the joint inspection team constituted by the tribunal."
It directed that the team would conduct monthly inspections of the plant and take stack as well as ambient air quality samples, which would be sent to both CPCB and DPCC laboratories for testing. The plant has been directed to set up an automatic segregation unit within a week of the judgment. "A detailed and comprehensive inspection report will be prepared by the joint inspection team to be submitted to the tribunal for appropriate directions."
The order further states that in the event the plant is found to be deficient in its operations or violates the prescribed standards of emissions, it will be liable to pay environmental compensation (EC) of Rs 5 lakh per incident, in addition to other directions which may be passed, including the closure of the plant.
Residents had earlier submitted to NGT that the ministry of environment and forests had granted technology approval for establishment of an integrated municipal solid waste plant with two refuse-derived fuel (RDF) plants, a bio-methanation plant and a power plant. However, "the plant proponent has bypassed the establishment of facilities for RDF and bio-methanation, and instead used reciprocating stoker type boilers of Chinese origin, use of which is being phased out even in China following widespread public protest", they alleged.
