The Tehkhand Waste-to-Energy (WTE) Plant in Southeast Delhi is set for a major expansion, with the draft Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) report now open for public consultation—a mandatory step before obtaining clearance from the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change’s Expert Appraisal Committee.

Operated by Jindal Urban Infrastructure Limited, the plant currently processes around 2,000 tonnes of municipal waste daily, generating 25 megawatts (MW) of electricity. The proposed expansion will add another 20 MW, taking the facility’s total capacity to 45 MW.

In addition to power generation, the upgraded plant will produce up to 20,000 cubic metres of biogas per day from leachate and green waste slurry, which can be converted into approximately 8 tonnes of Bio-CNG (Bio-Compressed Natural Gas) daily.

According to the EIA, the expansion will cost Rs 9 billion, with Rs 4.65 billion already invested in the existing unit and an additional Rs 4.35 billion planned for the new phase. The Jindal Group clarified that no new land will be required, as sufficient space is available within the current site.

The facility is designed to operate in coordination with Delhi’s first engineered sanitary landfill (ESLF) at Okhla, established by the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) last year for ash disposal. The report states that fly ash and bottom ash will be reused in road construction and brick manufacturing, while any surplus will be sent to the ESLF.

The baseline study for the EIA found that while air quality in the area meets national standards for some pollutants, levels of PM2.5, PM10, and nitrogen dioxide exceed permissible limits. The report also identifies potential environmental risks—such as increased dust, noise, and emissions—but notes that advanced pollution control technologies will mitigate these impacts. These include high stacks, scrubbers, activated carbon injection systems, and bag filters.

The risk assessment further highlights ecological and safety concerns including air and water pollution, soil contamination, vibration, and the risk of fires or explosions due to boiler malfunction. To mitigate these risks, the Jindal Group proposes modern emission control systems, noise barriers, wastewater treatment, and a comprehensive waste management plan.

Water requirements will be met primarily through 625 kilolitres per day of treated water from the Okhla sewage treatment plant, with minimal use of fresh water from the Delhi Jal Board. A zero liquid discharge system will ensure all wastewater and leachate are treated and reused on-site.

The EIA also notes that the plant lies within 5 kilometres of the Asola Wildlife Sanctuary and Okhla Bird Sanctuary. The study recorded 23 protected species in the wider area, including the jungle cat, jackal, hyena, and several raptors. A wildlife conservation plan valued at Rs 1 million has been proposed to safeguard biodiversity.

From a socio-economic standpoint, the expansion will generate both direct and indirect employment, increasing the total workforce to about 470 people. The company has also allocated funds for greenbelt development and rainwater harvesting as part of its sustainability commitments.