GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3395
TO BE ANSWERED ON 16.12.2024
Waste to Energy Plants
3395. MS IQRA CHOUDHARY:
Will the Minister of ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE be pleased to state:

(a) the number of Waste to Energy Plants operational in the country along with the number of new plants that have acquired No Objection Certificates, State-wise;

(b) whether the Government regularly tracks the pollution levels of these plants and if any plant is currently emitting pollution higher than permitted levels, if so, the details
thereof, plant-wise;

(c) the action taken by the Government against such plants, including monetary penalties and other punishments, plant-wise;

(d) whether there are guidelines for areas for dumping ash and other effluents and whether the Government prohibits such areas near human-inhabited areas, if so, the details hereof;

(e) whether the Government has conducted any studies after the year 2020 on the pollution levels or Environmental Impact of these plants;

(f) whether the Government has ensured that new plants fulfil all criteria regarding pollution standards, such as, distance from residential areas and disposal of effluents; and

(g) whether awareness is provided about the plants’ potential harm to the workers and residents and if so, the details thereof and action taken by the Government to mitigate such harm?

ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE

(SHRI KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH)

(a): As per the Annual Report on implementation of Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016, for the year 2021-22 submitted by 36 SPCBs/PCCs to Central Pollution Control Board, there are thirteen waste-to-energy plants operational in India (Andhra Pradesh – 2, Delhi-2, Goa-1, Haryana-1, Madhya Pradesh-1, Maharashtra -1, Telangana – 1, Uttar Pradesh-3, West Bengal1).

(b) & (c): As per the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016, the State Pollution Control Board or Pollution Control Committee are mandated to monitor environmental standards prescribed in the rules and adherence to conditions as specified under the Schedule I and Schedule II for waste processing and disposal sites including waste to energy plants. As per available information, the concerned SPCBs/PCCs, as required, have undertaken monitoring of waste to energy plants under their jurisdiction. To check the environmental compliance of the WTE plants in Delhi, CPCB, in association with the concerned SPCB/PCC inspected three Waste-to-Energy (WtE) plants namely M/s Timarpur Okhla Waste Management Company Limited, M/s Delhi MSW Solutions Ltd., M/s East Delhi Waste Processing Company Ltd. Due to the observed violations by M/s Timarpur Okhla Waste Management Company Limited, Environmental Compensation (EC) of Rs 5 Lakhs was imposed on the proponent by DPCC for not meeting the prescribed standard as per the joint/monitoring dated 21-22 sept, 2020.

(d) to (g): Schedule II of the Solid Waste Management Rules, prescribes standards of Processing and treatment of solid waste including standards for emission from incinerators / thermal technologies in solid waste treatment and disposal facilities. The standards include air emission standards. It has been mandated that if the concentration of toxic metals in incineration ash exceeds the limits specified in the Hazardous Waste (Management, Handling and Trans boundary Movement) Rules, 2008, as amended from time to time, the ash is sent to the hazardous waste treatment, storage and disposal facility. As per Solid Waste Management Rules, the local body or an operator of facility or an agency designated by them proposing to set up waste to energy plant of more than five tons per day processing capacity shall submit an application in Form-I to the State Pollution Control Board or Pollution Control Committee, as the case may be, for authorization.

Further, all waste processing plants including waste to energy plants are mandated to submit annual reports to the concerned local bodies with regard to their operation. Also, concerned SPCBs/PCCs are mandated to provide details of the status of operation of waste to energy plants, their power generation along with remarks of the concerned SPCBs/PCCs, as part of their annual report under Solid Waste Management Rules to CPCB.