Rohit Shishodia
To tackle wet and dry waste that piles up on roads and causes pollution and various infectious diseases, the East Delhi Municipal Corporation (EDMC) has started its first Bio-Methanation plant at Multani Mohalla, Geeta Colony, in East Delhi.

The plant, which was inaugurated by local Member of Parliament Gautam Gambhir, on December 14, 2019, can convert 5000 kilogram waste into 500 kilowatt power and compost on daily basis.

250 kilowatt power would be used locally and the remaining 250 kilowatt would be given to BSES, the power distributing agency in Delhi. The compost would be used in plantation in the parks of East Delhi.

Under this initiative, sixteen E-rickshaws have been launched by Mr Gambhir. These e-rickshaws, have green and blue dustbins, and will collect dry and wet waste and throw it into the plant.

“I congratulate EDMC for this plant. This is the first plant that has been set up in East Delhi. I don’t make false promises. I make promises that I can fulfill,” asserted Gambhir.

According to EDMC, this waste to energy plant in Geeta Colony would also reduce waste burden on the landfill in Ghazipur, which is infamous due to its filth.

Dr Anil Goyal, Head, Goyal Hospital and Urology Centre, Delhi, told DTMT: “The root cause of water and air pollution is waste. This waste consists of plastic and unused home food and non-bio-degradable plastic. If this waste is dumped, it produces methane gas and toxic fuels which is stinky. This produces bacteria and bees. They cause infections and lead to diseases.”

“Secondly, this waste also pollutes water. This is what is happening in Ghazipur where waste is dumped at landfill mixed with water. This water is consumed by the locals and causes different diseases. Consuming this contaminated water and inhaling toxic air leads to diseases such as cancer, gastroenteritis, diarrhea, fever, jaundice and respiratory infections,” he explained.

He further said, “If this waste is disposed and segregated, it helps in generating power and compost. To tackle this, there is a need, which was implemented by EDMC and MP Gautam Gambhir.”  

He pointed out “This waste is actually a gold lying in houses, which can generate power. This will do one thing, first you will remove the waste by generating power through this plant, and secondly it will also save people from diseases.”