Delhi Struggles with Toxic Air Quality Crisis Amidst Controversial Waste-to-Energy Plants

As of December 20, 2023, Delhi has retained its dubious distinction as the most polluted city in India, with official data revealing that the air quality in the capital exceeds the World Health Organization's safe limits by over 17 times. The level of particulate matter (PM2.5) poses severe health risks, penetrating deep into the lungs and contributing to a surge in respiratory illnesses, cancer rates, and complications such as miscarriages. Despite ongoing efforts from the government and interventions by the Supreme Court, the battle against pollution remains daunting. Human activities, including the burning of coal, fossil fuels, and biomass in industrial settings, alongside emissions from vehicles and construction activities, are the primary culprits. Seasonal temperature inversions exacerbate the situation during winter, trapping pollutants near the ground and leading to dangerously poor air quality. While many strategies have been proposed for mitigating pollution, including promoting crop diversification and revamping transportation, there is a growing concern about the role of thermal and waste-to-energy (WtE) plants in exacerbating air quality issues. A report from the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air highlights that thermal plants emit sulfur dioxide at levels that dwarf those generated by stubble burning, underscoring a glaring inconsistency in regulatory enforcement—while farmers face harsh penalties for burning residues, coal-fired power plants operate with extended compliance deadlines. The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has mandated that coal-based power plants implement flue-gas desulfurization systems to cut sulfur dioxide emissions by over 60%. However, the Union Power Ministry has repeatedly sought extensions, with the Central Electricity Authority now aiming for compliance by 2035—a delay that raises serious concerns about accountability in pollution control. Additionally, Delhi's four WtE plants, located in Ghazipur, Narela, Okhla, and Tehkhand, are at the center of a controversy. Although these facilities are intended to alleviate the city's waste crisis by converting garbage into electricity, they are also significant sources of pollution. The incineration process produces bottom ash and fly ash, the latter carrying toxic substances. Notably, a New York Times investigation revealed alarming levels of cadmium and dioxins in the fly ash from the Timarpur-Okhla plant, far exceeding permissible limits. Despite the claims of these incinerators as an environmentally friendly solution, they operate similarly to open pit garbage fires, releasing harmful pollutants into the atmosphere. The lack of stringent ecological norms regarding fly ash management raises serious questions about their safety. The Graded Response Action Plan, designed to mitigate air quality deterioration, has not yet addressed the necessity of regulation for WtE plants. Globally, modern incinerators are equipped with advanced technologies to minimize emissions, but it is unclear whether Delhi's facilities employ similar mechanisms. As pollution levels continue to rise, marginalized communities near these plants bear the brunt of the health impacts, highlighting a critical issue of environmental justice. It is imperative that the efficacy and operational protocols of WtE plants in Delhi are urgently evaluated. Until appropriate technology capable of ensuring toxicity-free waste burning is implemented, these facilities should not operate. Without immediate and decisive action, the air quality crisis in Delhi will persist, further endangering the health and well-being of its residents.