Delhi: Tehkhand waste-to-energy plant set to undergo Rs 900 crore expansion

Additionally, the facility plans to 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).

The EIA highlights that the expansion will cost Rs 900 crore, with Rs 465 crore already invested in the existing unit and another Rs 435 crore planned for the new capacity. The Jindal group has stated that the project will not require additional land, as space for expansion is already available within the existing premises.

The plant is designed to operate in an integrated manner with Delhi’s first engineered sanitary landfill (ESLF) at Okhla, established last year by the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) for the safe disposal of ash. The report notes that by-products such as fly ash and bottom ash will be used in road construction and brick manufacturing, while any unutilized material will be sent to the ESLF.

The baseline study conducted for the EIA shows that while air quality in the area remains within national standards for some pollutants, levels of PM2.5, PM10, and nitrogen dioxide exceed prescribed limits.

The report acknowledges potential risks of increased dust, noise, and emissions but states that advanced pollution control systems—including high stacks, scrubbers, activated carbon injection, and bag filters—will minimize impacts.

The risk assessment for the expansion project also outlines key ecological concerns, including air and water pollution, noise and vibration impacts, soil contamination, and socio-economic changes. It also considers the potential for accidents such as fires and explosions, particularly due to mechanical failure of boilers.

To address these risks, the Jindal group has proposed mitigation measures such as advanced air pollution control systems, noise barriers, efficient wastewater treatment, and proper waste management practices.

For water use, the plant will draw about 625 kilolitres per day of treated water from the Okhla sewage treatment plant, with only a small share of fresh water sourced from the Delhi Jal Board. A “zero liquid discharge” approach will be adopted, with leachate and wastewater treated and reused.

Highlighting ecological concerns, the EIA report notes that the site lies less than 5 km from the Asola Wildlife Sanctuary and Okhla Bird Sanctuary. It mentions that 23 species protected under the Wildlife Protection Act—including the jungle cat, jackal, hyena, and several raptors—are found in the wider study area, with a conservation plan proposed at a cost of Rs 10 lakh.

On the socio-economic front, the expansion is expected to create both direct and indirect jobs, with the total workforce at the plant projected to rise to nearly 470. The company has earmarked funds for greenbelt development and rainwater harvesting, according to the EIA report.

Environmental risks associated with the plant have been flagged before.

During a public hearing held in May 2018 for the plant’s initial setup, 230 residents from nearby areas—including Badarpur and Okhla Phase II—raised concerns about air pollution mitigation, noise reduction methods, sanitation, and disease control, according to official documents from the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC).

The plant was later operationalised in January 2023.