The Okhla waste-to-energy plant: Delhi, India

The Okhla waste-to-energy plant in Delhi has faced significant opposition from local residents, waste pickers, and environmental groups. Residents of Sukhdev Vihar raised concerns over untested Chinese incineration technology and the plant’s proximity to the eco-sensitive Okhla Bird Sanctuary, citing health risks, particularly from dioxin emissions. Waste pickers, organised through unions such as AIKMM, also opposed the plant, arguing it undermines their livelihoods by burning recyclable materials. Despite widespread protests, the National Green Tribunal ruled in favour of the plant’s continued operation in 2017, citing sustainable development despite environmental and public health concerns. This conflict highlights the metabolic struggles in cities like Delhi, where different groups, waste pickers and middle-class residents align over health, livelihood, and environmental issues. Waste pickers, vital to the city’s informal recycling sector, fear losing access to waste, while residents resist the risks of incineration. The Tribunal’s ruling underscores a utilitarian approach that prioritises development over localised risks, raising questions about the role of precautionary principles in balancing diverse social and environmental interests.