NGT Seeks Clarity on Ghazipur Waste and WTE Plant

04 Aug 2025 CW Team

NGT questioned the waste-to-energy (WTE) plant’s reported intake of 700–1,000 tonnes per day despite having an operational capacity of only 800–850 tonnes per day. It asked the MCD to provide documents detailing the plant’s actual and permitted utilisation levels, daily electricity output, and how that energy is fed into the central grid.

The tribunal also pointed out that although the landfill receives around 2,400–2,600 tonnes of waste daily, the current waste-processing capacity falls far short, causing a continuous increase in unprocessed waste.

Separately, the NGT issued notices in response to a petition alleging that manufacturers of gutkha, pan masala, and other tobacco products are violating the Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016. The petition cited ongoing use of banned plastic packaging and demanded stricter enforcement, including the closure of non-compliant units and recovery of environmental compensation. Notices were served to the Central Pollution Control Board and Delhi Pollution Control Committee for their response.

In other environmental developments, a World Bank report revealed that gas flaring by oil companies emitted 389 million tonnes of carbon pollution in 2024—equivalent to France’s annual emissions. The practice, which involves burning off excess methane during oil extraction, rose for the second consecutive year, with 151 billion cubic metres of gas flared globally—the highest level since 2007.

Meanwhile, The Guardian and Watershed Investigations uncovered that out of more than 90,000 oil slicks detected globally between 2014 and 2019, only 474 were officially reported. The investigation revealed that few incidents resulted in penalties, raising concerns over lack of enforcement and environmental accountability.

Following the Municipal Corporation of Delhi’s (MCD) plan to clear the Ghazipur landfill by 2028, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has demanded clarification on lapses in waste and leachate management. The tribunal noted that untreated waste continues to add to the existing legacy waste at the site, as reported by The Times of India.NGT questioned the waste-to-energy (WTE) plant’s reported intake of 700–1,000 tonnes per day despite having an operational capacity of only 800–850 tonnes per day. It asked the MCD to provide documents detailing the plant’s actual and permitted utilisation levels, daily electricity output, and how that energy is fed into the central grid.The tribunal also pointed out that although the landfill receives around 2,400–2,600 tonnes of waste daily, the current waste-processing capacity falls far short, causing a continuous increase in unprocessed waste.Separately, the NGT issued notices in response to a petition alleging that manufacturers of gutkha, pan masala, and other tobacco products are violating the Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016. The petition cited ongoing use of banned plastic packaging and demanded stricter enforcement, including the closure of non-compliant units and recovery of environmental compensation. Notices were served to the Central Pollution Control Board and Delhi Pollution Control Committee for their response.In other environmental developments, a World Bank report revealed that gas flaring by oil companies emitted 389 million tonnes of carbon pollution in 2024—equivalent to France’s annual emissions. The practice, which involves burning off excess methane during oil extraction, rose for the second consecutive year, with 151 billion cubic metres of gas flared globally—the highest level since 2007.Meanwhile, The Guardian and Watershed Investigations uncovered that out of more than 90,000 oil slicks detected globally between 2014 and 2019, only 474 were officially reported. The investigation revealed that few incidents resulted in penalties, raising concerns over lack of enforcement and environmental accountability.

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