In New Delhi, a new project to convert waste into energy in Bawana is causing big worries among local residents just before the Delhi Assembly elections. Many people from more than 15 nearby villages are saying this plant is bad for their health and the environment. They’re so worried that some are thinking about not voting if the project goes ahead.
The plant is planned for a 15-acre piece of land close to a spot that deals with hazardous waste in DSIDC Sector 5. Residents are concerned that the plant will destroy trees, create more air and water pollution, and lead to serious health issues like breathing problems and brain disorders. Rajpal Saini, who lives in Sanoth village, shared, “The toxic smoke from this plant will put our lives in danger. We already face pollution from other factories, and this will only make it worse.”
While the government says the new plant will have the best pollution control systems, the residents point to existing plants nearby that have caused serious pollution problems. Mange Ram, another local, highlighted the issues from the Okhla Waste-to-Energy (WTE) plant, saying it has harmed the community with dangerous smoke and ash.
There are also fears about soil and water getting polluted because of bad waste management. Rakesh Kumar, a resident, said, “We can’t risk having this happen again here.”
The people in Bawana also care deeply about the trees on the proposed site. They sent a letter to a forest officer on January 6, asking to save the mature trees that are important for nature. Ram Chandran from JJ Colony said, “Cutting down these trees for a project that makes pollution is unacceptable.”
Residents also argue that important areas like Sanoth village and JJ Colony were not included in the environmental report, showing a lack of transparency. Yash, the leader of the Bawana Residents’ Association, mentioned, “These decisions should include the affected communities.”
Environmental expert Bhavreen Kandhari criticized the plan, saying, “Burning waste without sorting it first releases nasty fumes and leaves behind harmful ash.” She believes focus should be on preventing waste or recycling rather than burning it, which hurts the environment.
Protesters are invoking Article 21 of the Constitution, which promises a clean and healthy living environment. “Development must not come at the cost of our health,” said Nisha Singh, a social worker.
On December 27, a public meeting about the plant took place, where many residents showed up and strongly opposed the project. They do not want their area to become another waste dump. The report from the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) noted that about 30,000 factories are already operating nearby, affecting their health.
As voting day approaches, the proposed WTE plant remains a hot topic. Residents have warned that if their concerns are not addressed, they will boycott the elections on February 5.
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