Delhi accelerates landfill clearance and waste processing
Chief Minister Rekha Gupta has directed officials to fast-track new waste-processing facilities as Delhi clears over 21 million tonnes of legacy waste.
Chief Minister Rekha Gupta has directed officials to ensure that new waste-processing units are made operational at the earliest and run at their full capacity. This push follows her inspection of the Okhla landfill and a review meeting on waste disposal, reclaimed land, and upcoming facilities, aiming to prevent further accumulation of Delhi's notorious landfill waste.
Gupta reviewed the progress on legacy waste disposal and the status of new waste-processing facilities. She also discussed the availability of reclaimed land with officials. The focus is on accelerating operational readiness for new units and use the land being cleared.
Scale of waste processed and land reclaimed across Delhi’s major landfills
Over the past 18 months, nearly 100 acres of land have been reclaimed across Delhi's three major landfill sites. Large quantities of legacy waste have accumulated over the years at Okhla, Bhalswa, and Ghazipur.
During this period, 21.71 million metric tonnes of waste were disposed of from these sites. This quantity is equivalent to around two lakh truckloads. The reclaimed land area is comparable to about 57 standard football fields.
Government expands waste-to-resource and renewable energy initiatives
The government is working to expand waste-to-resource initiatives and renewable energy projects linked to solid waste management. As part of this expansion, Gupta virtually laid foundation stones for several new facilities.
| Facility Location | Capacity (Tonnes Per Day) |
|---|---|
| Okhla | 1,400 TPD |
| Singhola | 700 TPD |
| Ghazipur | 800 TPD |
Additionally, a foundation stone was laid for a 300-TPD biogas plant in Ghazipur for processing biodegradable waste.
Officials stress scientific processing to prevent further waste accumulation
Gupta stressed the need to process fresh waste scientifically to prevent further accumulation. She emphasized that clearing surface waste alone would not be enough.
She directed officials to strengthen systems for handling fresh municipal waste. The goal is to tackle accumulated waste while ensuring scientific processing of fresh waste to stop ongoing pollution.
Mayor outlines timeline for landfill clearance and remediation
Delhi Mayor Pravesh Wahi said in May that the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) aims to clear Bhalswa and Okhla landfill sites by the end of this year. He stated that the complete remediation of the Ghazipur landfill will conclude by the end of 2027.
Gupta virtually laid foundation stones for new waste-processing plants at Okhla, Singhola, and Ghazipur, with capacities of 1,400 TPD, 700 TPD, and 800 TPD respectively, and a 300-TPD biogas plant at Ghazipur.
