Delhi removes 2.16 metric tonnes of legacy waste, reclaims 100 acres of land: CM Rekha Gupta

The Delhi government announced on Sunday that over 100 acres of land have been reclaimed at three major landfills - Okhla, Bhalswa, and Ghazipur - after removing 2.16 crore metric tonnes of legacy waste. Chief Minister Rekha Gupta revealed that around 70 lakh metric tonnes of waste has been processed at Okhla, allowing for the reconstruction of 35 acres of land.

At Bhalswa, 102 lakh metric tonnes of waste has been processed, reclaiming 45 acres of land, while Ghazipur has seen the removal of 44 lakh metric tonnes of waste, resulting in the recovery of 20 acres. This development is part of the civic authorities' plan to clear legacy waste accumulated over decades at Delhi's landfills. The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) aims to complete the task at Okhla and Bhalswa by December of this year, and at the largest landfill, Ghazipur, by the same timeframe next year.

The inert material recovered from the waste processing is being repurposed for filling low-lying areas and constructing bases beneath roads, ensuring both scientific waste processing and material utilization. The government's strategy extends beyond immediate waste management; it involves planning for future needs. However, the cleanup process has been slowed by recent heavy rainfall, with waste still being added daily.

According to the MCD's dashboard, the average waste lifted at Bhalswa, Okhla, and Ghazipur over the past three days was 787 TPD, 575 TPD, and 3,382 TPD respectively. Simultaneously, an average of 4,243 TPD, 2,115 TPD, and 2,541 TPD waste was added to these landfills. Chief Minister Gupta also announced the completion of preparations for constructing four new Waste-to-Energy plants in Delhi.

These facilities will enable the city to process daily waste at the same pace, preventing further accumulation and the creation of new waste mountains. The government's ultimate goal is for Delhi to process all waste generated daily on a consistent basis.