The Union Environment Ministry has granted environmental clearance (EC) for a new 30 MW waste-to-energy (WtE) plant in the Bawana Industrial Area of Northwest Delhi, despite widespread protests and strong opposition from local residents and environmental groups. 

This decision paves the way for what will be Delhi's fifth such facility, aimed at addressing the city's burgeoning municipal solid waste crisis.

The proposed plant, managed by Jindal Urban Waste Management (Bawana) Limited under a public-private partnership, will be set up on a 15-acre plot, with six acres designated as a green belt. 

It is designed to process 3,000 tonnes of municipal solid waste daily, primarily as boiler fuel. The capital cost for the project is estimated at Rs 660 crore, with an additional Rs 91.605 crore allocated for environmental protection measures.

However, the clearance has been met with considerable dismay by the communities living in and around Bawana, including a JJ colony within 1km of the plant and several villages like Naya Bans, Holambi Khurd, and Sanoth within 5km.