Waste-to-energy plant: RWAs to cite Agra case

NEW DELHI: Residents of Sukhdev Vihar and Haji Colony, who have been staunchly opposing a waste-to-energy plant in their area, received a boost to their campaign. A similar plant being set up in Agra, UP, might be scrapped after the UP government made it clear that it was not willing to fund the refuse derived fuel (RDF) component of the project.

According to sources, the announcement came after the government received objections to the plant in terms of its environment impact. “The RDF is an expensive component and by refusing to fund it, the government, it seems, wants to distance itself from it,” revealed sources.

Sukhdev Vihar and Haji Colony residents intend using this before the Delhi government as an example. “Residents met the MCD commissioner earlier this month and were given assurances that the plant would not pose any environmental hazard. However, the incineration technology is flawed and there is no way that emissions can be prevented from it,” said Gopal Krishna, an activist who is opposing the plant.

Residents had earlier taken out a protest march and refused to let the land handing over ceremony take place. Their basic contention is that the plant should not be set up in a residential area. “We will get in touch with residents in Agra, who opposed this plant,” said Anil Misra, member of the Sukhdev Vihar RWA.


Neha Lalchandani
22 September, 2008
The Times of India