ed the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) Commissioner, urging the cancellation of a proposed Waste-to-Energy (WTE) incinerator plant in Kodungaiyur. The plea, supported by over 200 residents, civil society organizations, and environmentalists, raises concerns about the project’s environmental and health impacts.
The proposed plant, intended to process 2,100 tons of mixed waste daily, is planned for an area already burdened by 36 red-category factories and the city’s largest garbage dump. Residents argue it will exacerbate pollution and violate principles of environmental justice.
Local residents, like Sarath Kumar from Vyasarpadi, highlighted the existing health issues due to pollution, stating, “We already suffer from illnesses caused by hazardous industries. This project will worsen our quality of life.” The community, largely comprising daily wage workers, emphasized their right to a dignified life.
Experts criticize the project for its reliance on unsegregated waste with low calorific value, leading to incomplete combustion and the release of harmful pollutants such as dioxins, furans, and heavy metals. Additionally, the plant’s ash byproduct will contribute to landfill waste, further polluting the environment.
Studies and investigations into similar projects in Delhi show increased cases of cancer, asthma, and respiratory illnesses, strengthening concerns over the plant’s adverse impacts on public health. Environmental experts also warn that the plant undermines India’s Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016, which mandate waste segregation and decentralized processing.
Chennai residents and AIFC are advocating for sustainable waste management practices, such as reducing waste production, enforcing segregation, and minimizing single-use plastics, instead of pursuing environmentally detrimental projects like the WTE plant.
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