Delhiites protest against proposed expansion of "toxic" garbage power plant

By Our Representative
The Joint Action Committee, which is fighting against the Government of India decision to go ahead with the expansion of the Jindal Garbage Plant in Sukdhdev Vihar, New Delhi, has said that it will “not tolerate polluted air” and continue fighting against “the poisonous plant”. In a statement issued following a massive demonstration against the plant, it said, toxic pollution coming out of the plant has been “recognized” even by the government.
Those who demonstrated were residents of Jasola Heights, Sukhdev Vihar, Johri Farm, Okhla Vihar, Gaffar Manzil, Haji Colony, Shahin Bagh, Butla House, Masihgarh, Badarpur, and Madanpur Khadar. They formed a human chain, which was later converted into a rally. Earlier, opposition to the plant led to the administration and the Delhi Pollution Control Board to a cancel a hearing on the plant’s expansion on January 16.

Insisting that environmental public hearing is a very important constitutional right, the statement said, “Experience across India suggests, the government somehow fulfills the ritual of public hearing and then undertakes paperwork to carry forward a project. The plan to expand the 16 MW plant to 40 MW is currently being heard in the Supreme Court. Why is the government in such a hurry?”
“The National Green Tribunal had directed in a ruling that the garbage plant should be monitored by a committee of three members every month. It was to give its opinion of whether environmental standards were satisfactory. Surprisingly, monitoring process was changed from once one month to three months”, the statement said, adding, “Our battle will continue till we win.”

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