Toxic Waste-to-Energy: How Delhi's Incinerator is Polluting Air

In Delhi, a city often ranked among the most polluted in the world, one issue has moved into the spotlight: waste incineration in waste‑to‑energy (WTE) plants, particularly the facility in the Okhla district. Originally intended to support cleaner energy production and effective waste management, the plant has instead become a source of serious concern. Journalists, residents, and environmental organizations report significant problems, including toxic heavy metals, incomplete combustion, and harmful emissions that spread far beyond the city limits.

AI-generated image with Sora

What Are the Media Reporting?

Investigations show that the Okhla WTE plant allegedly emits elevated levels of cadmium, lead, and arsenic. According to a New York Times report (via India Today), roughly 150 air and soil samples were collected around the facility over five years. Many samples showed heavy‑metal concentrations far above permissible limits. Local residents complain of respiratory issues, constant dust, and unpleasant odors. The Times of India also warns of harmful substances such as furans and dioxins released during the burning of mixed waste.

On the other hand, an official report by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) claims that Delhi’s WTE plants operate “largely within acceptable limits” and pose only “minimal” risks to health and the environment. However, the facility in Bawana stands out as an exception, showing exceedances of dioxins, thallium, and cadmium.

Why Is Delhi One of the Most Polluted Cities in the World?

Delhi suffers from a combination of factors that collectively worsen air quality:

• Traffic and motorization: Millions of vehicles, many with high emissions, contribute heavily to pollution and congestion.

• Construction and demolition dust: Large construction sites and poorly controlled dust add to airborne particulate matter.

• Open burning: Waste, biomass, and plant residue are frequently burned openly in nearby areas.

• Weather patterns: In winter, humidity, temperature inversion, and weak winds trap pollutants near the ground, creating dense smog.

• Overflowing landfills and poor waste management: Gigantic dumps in Ghazipur, Bhalswa, and Okhla regularly catch fire, releasing methane and smoke.

• Problematic WTE plants: Burning unsorted waste in plants like Okhla adds another significant pollution source.

All of these contributors lead to extremely high concentrations of particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10) as well as other toxic air pollutants, making Delhi’s air among the worst globally.

What Does This Mean for Residents and Buildings?

If a WTE plant like the one in Okhla releases toxic heavy metals and combustion by‑products, the impact extends far beyond the immediate surroundings. Emissions disperse into the air, bind with other pollutants, and can travel long distances. Buildings, apartments, and offices are not naturally protected. Poor ventilation, inadequate filtration, or non‑airtight windows allow pollutants to enter and accumulate indoors.

From a building‑technology and indoor‑air‑quality perspective, this means:

• Monitoring pollutant intrusion through ventilation systems, windows, and doors.

• Using filters or air‑cleaning systems capable of capturing heavy metals and persistent organic pollutants (POPs).

• Protecting sensitive residential and work areas, especially those located near emission‑intensive sites like Okhla.

• Considering air quality in urban planning, including traffic routing and green buffer zones around sensitive buildings.

  
  

To improve long-term air quality, cities like Delhi must enforce stricter emission regulations, implement effective waste separation, and ensure public transparency on environmental data. Investing in green infrastructure and reevaluating the proximity of sensitive buildings to pollution sources is equally crucial. Clean air isn’t a luxury — it’s a basic human right.