An investigative report by The New York Times has uncovered that a waste-to-energy plant in Okhla, Delhi, is emitting hazardous pollutants, including cadmium, lead, and arsenic, endangering the health of over a million residents.
The report reveals that hazardous ash from the Timarpur-Okhla Waste Management plant is being unlawfully dumped in residential areas near the Badarpur border in southeast Delhi, putting nearby schools and children's parks at risk and creating a potential environmental and public health disaster.
WHEN?
Established in 2012 as a supposed eco-friendly solution to Delhi’s towering landfills, the plant was intended to convert up to 2,000 tons of trash daily into approximately 23 megawatts of electricity, addressing both waste management and energy shortages.
WHY?
Cadmium levels were recorded at 19 times the permissible limit, manganese at 11 times, arsenic at 10 times, lead at four times, and cobalt at three times. Prolonged exposure to these metals can lead to severe health issues, ranging from respiratory diseases to cancer, neurological disorders, and fetal complications.
The NYT’s findings align with internal government reports that have flagged high dioxin emissions from the plant—up to 10 times the legal limit—according to government reports. Dioxins are known for their extreme toxicity and were a key component of Agent Orange, a defoliant used by the US military in Vietnam.
Local residents report rising incidents of respiratory illnesses, skin boils, and black phlegm production. Children playing near hazardous ash dump sites are at particular risk for long-term health complications.
In interviews with plant workers, NYT found that basic safety measures are frequently neglected, reportedly to save costs. Meanwhile, the Jindal Group reportedly continues to earn carbon credits from the plant's operations, and expanding its waste management empire with new government contracts.
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