Greater Chennai Corporation’s proposed waste-to-energy plant at Kodungaiyur dump yard faces backlash

Residents in Chennai express concern over proposed incinerator at Kodungaiyur dump yard due to potential pollution risks.

A proposed incinerator at the Kodungaiyur dump yard, which is part of the waste-to-energy (WTE) initiative of the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC), has raised concern among residents in Muthamil Nagar, R.R. Nagar, and Ezhil Nagar. They complaint that it could worsen the pollution in the area.

The plant is expected to be built on 75 acres in the vicinity of the dump yard alongside an integrated waste management project.

Bhanumathi, who has been running a shop in R.R. Nagar for over 30 years, said: “The nights have gotten foggier than usual, which is a problem, especially for motorists.”

A senior GCC official said similar to projects nationwide, the civic body would follow a public-private partnership (PPP) mode for this project, which does not impose strict guidelines for WTE process management.

L.M. Jaiganesh of Muthamil Nagar in Tondiarpet zone alleged that models followed by other metropolitan cities, such as New Delhi, had increased pollution instead of reducing waste. He said, “Residents were told that 2,000 tonnes per day would be incinerated in the plant, and the smoke would be processed to reduce pollutants and the ash produced will be stored in a water containment zone. In case these processes are not followed, it will worsen the problems in the area. The surrounding areas already suffer from mosquito and housefly menace owing to air and water pollution. These problems also apply to Ezhil Nagar.”

He also expressed concern over the pollution worsening during Bhogi in January, when residents burn garbage, and in the summer, when the waste in the dump yard catches fire frequently.

Mr. Jaiganesh added: “When we petitioned GCC Commissioner J. Kumaragurubaran regarding this last week, he asked us to suggest alternatives. So, we mentioned a project, which was implemented in Indore, where organic waste was turned into fuel and used in city buses and for cooking. But this idea may not materialise in Chennai.”