Okhla toxic plant: CM Dikshit meets residents

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A meeting at the instance of the Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit was on April 6 convened to discuss the issues related to Waste to Energy Plant at Sukhdev Vihar, Okhla which is yet to be commissioned.  A group of residents from a number of colonies in Okhla was invited as there were reports in the newspapers about residents being scared of health hazard due to coming up of this plant. The Chief Minister gave them a patient hearing and ample opportunities to most of the residents present in the meeting to present their views. 

They did not raise any objection about Waste to Energy Plant, however, they started making complaints of health hazards due to a Bio-Medical Waste Management Plant and Water Treatment Plant existing in vicinity of their colonies for the last so many year. 

It was clarified that both these plants have been commissioned after receiving permission from all statutory agencies including Union Ministry of Environment.  The Water Treatment Plant has been in existence right from the 1950s whereas Bio-Medical Waste Plant was commissioned a few years ago.  They were also informed that upcoming Waste to Energy Plant is being commissioned after getting all clearances.  There will be no health hazard due to Waste to Energy Plant as only domestic waste/bio-degradable waste will be used to generate power.   

The Chief Minister repeatedly stated that the city government is committed to take care of health hazards of the residents across the city.  She directed the Secretary (Environment) to make them available copies of all scientific studies and project reports in respect of two existing plants and one coming up plant. 

She further requested the residents of Okhla to get these reports studied from any environmentalist and scientific expert and submit feasible solutions within a week time to address the problem.  Also Dikshit assured them that another meeting will be arranged after getting their response and all possible safety measures will be taken to ensure that no resident suffer due to any health hazard.  The Chief Minister also instructed the Chief Secretary and the Secretary (Environment) to take up this matter on top priority so that the reasonable grievances of the residents from Okhla could be addressed at the earliest. 

Also, Dikshit spoke to the Union Minister of Environment and Forests, Jairam Ramesh, who assured that the Central Pollution Control Board will also survey the area and suggest any up-gradation etc. required to stop any contamination that may be there.