Delhi CM steers signing of MoU for new biogas plants in Okhla, Tughlakabad
New Delhi, July 30
Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Thursday steered the signing of an MoU between the Municipal Corporation of Delhi and Oil India Limited for setting up Compressed Bio-Gas plants in Tughlakabad and Okhla, officials said.
The MoU is the latest among the efforts being made by the Delhi government and the Centre to reduce the mountains of waste at landfills through remediation and other techniques.
In a message on X, CM Rekha Gupta said, "Today, at the Delhi Secretariat, an MoU was signed between the Municipal Corporation of Delhi and Oil India Limited for the establishment of Compressed Bio-Gas plants with 800 TPD capacity in Tughlakabad and Okhla."
"In these plants, bio-gas will be produced from segregated organic waste. This will reduce the mountains of waste, increase the production of clean energy, and further strengthen our resolve for a 'Clean Delhi'," she said.
On this occasion, Mayor of Municipal Corporation of Delhi Pravesh Wahi, along with officials, was present, she said.
Earlier, Minister of State (MoS) for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Kirti Vardhan Singh said that out of the seven legacy waste dumpsites identified in the Delhi-National Capital Region (NCR), remediation at four dumpsites has been completed.
In reply to a question in Parliament, the MoS added that the seven legacy waste dumpsites identified for remediation in the Delhi-NCR include three in Delhi and one in Gurugram, Noida, Greater Noida and Ghaziabad.
Kirti Vardhan Singh said that for the abatement of pollution from the municipal solid waste and legacy waste, Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) issued a direction on January 27, 2021, under Section 5 of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, mandating all State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs)/Pollution Control Committees (PCCs) to take action for biomining and bio remediation of legacy waste dumpsites.
He said the Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR and Adjoining Areas (CAQM), on June 3, 2025, directed the agencies in the NCR to take appropriate actions for management of legacy waste at sanitary landfill sites and dumpsites.
The CAQM had said that the measures were important to tackle air pollution through open burning of municipal solid waste (MSW)/open biomass generating Particulate Matter (PM10 and PM2.5) and other harmful gaseous pollutants (NO2, SO2, CO, Dioxins, Furans, etc.), in the region.
The MoS said that the Central government has notified the Solid Waste Management Rules (SWM) Rules, 2026, superseding the earlier SWM Rules, 2016, with provisions for proper and effective management of municipal solid waste (MSW), including sanitary landfills. The Rules have come into force with effect from April 1, 2026.
— IANS
Reader Comments
Good initiative, but I hope the implementation doesn't get delayed like most government projects. The 800 TPD capacity sounds impressive, but we need to ensure the plants are built on time and actually process the waste properly. Also, the segregated organic waste part is crucial—if garbage isn't separated at source, this won't work.
Great to see Indian cities taking concrete steps towards renewable energy and waste management. As someone living in Delhi, the landfill problem is visible to all of us—gas plants converting waste to energy makes perfect sense. Hoping this sets a precedent for other cities in NCR too.
One question: will the biogas plants cause any pollution or odor issues for nearby residents? Okhla already has enough environmental challenges. But otherwise, this is a win-win for reducing landfill mountains and generating clean fuel for vehicles. Let's hope the MoU translates into action soon.
Ab samajh mein aaya! Waste ko energy mein badalna — yeh hai asli smart governance. Delhi ke landfill mountains ko reduce karna aur clean energy produce karna, dono ek saath. MCD aur Oil India ka collaboration saraahniy hai. Bas ab execution mein deri na ho. 💪
I appreciate the ambition, but 800 TPD capacity seems small compared to Delhi's massive waste generation. Also, the SWM Rules 2026 are now in effect—let's hope this leads to stricter compliance. Still, any step towards reducing the Ghazipur-type landfill disasters is welcome. Fingers crossed it works.
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