Plan for 10 new landfills stuck in government files

In 2013, the Delhi government and the Delhi development Authority (DDA) had identified 10 possible landfill sites on the outskirts of Delhi, including one on the Haryana border. But none of these materialised. The North, South, and East Corporations have four landfill sites under them, in Ghazipur, Okhla and Bhalaswa. As all of them are overburdened, the civic bodies had urged the government to allot land for new sites.

These included a 100-acre plot in Sultanpur Dabas, 150 acres in Pooth Khurd, 27.5 acres near Hamidpur village, 42.5 acres near Palla village and 62.5 acres between Palla village and the Haryana border. According to officials, among the 10 sites identified, not a single one has been approved.

"Most sites are waiting for environment clearances, while the Haryana government has not approved the proposal for one of the spots. We are in talks with the neighbouring states' governments to allow us land for the purpose. In a meeting chaired by former Lieutenant-Governor (L-G) Najeeb Jung, it was decided that since the landfill sites contribute to pollution, the new sites will be set up far from the city," a senior Corporation official said.

"We have already allotted about 150 acres for a landfill to the East Corporation in the Ghonda-Gurjar area. They have to get clearance from the National Green Tribunal (NGT)," DDA Vice-Chairman Udai Pratap Singh told the DNA.

East Corporation Mayor Neema Bhagat, however, said: "We have the land, but we have to get an NOC from the NGT. We have a meeting scheduled on September 4."