Gurgaon: Directorate of urban local bodies (ULB) has constituted a committee to prepare a model draft request for proposal (RFP) for waste-to-energy projects in major municipal corporations in the state, including Gurgaon, Faridabad and Hisar. The projects will be undertaken under the public-private partnership (PPP) mode.The ULB order also noted that the ministry of housing and urban affairs has issued a model RFP to assist states and ULBs in structuring technically sound and financially viable waste-to-energy projects.The committee includes the commissioner of municipal corporation of Faridabad Dhirendra Khadgata, MCG chief Pradeep Dahiya, Hisar civic body chief Niraj, and MCG additional commissioners Ankita Chaudhary and Yash Jaluka. It was tasked with carrying out assessments within 20 days for their respective municipal corporations.Assessments include preparing a techno-economic and feasibility report, identifying project sites, arranging power evacuation, framing a power purchase agreement (PPA) framework and assessing waste quantity.“We have identified 20 acres of land in Manesar to set up a plant for the city. The land parcel belongs to HSIIDC and is being transferred for the project,” said MCG commissioner Pradeep Dahiya.According to the official order issued by the directorate, the initiative aims to strengthen scientific municipal solid waste management under Swachh Bharat Mission (urban). The development of waste-to-energy facilities has been identified as a key intervention to ensure scientific processing of municipal solid waste and reduce dependence on landfill sites.The committee will also estimate project costs, examine environmental requirements and outline arrangements for the disposal of residual waste.“Waste-to-energy projects have seen several attempts in the city over the past 20 years. While they were once seen as a solution to waste problems, it is now understood that they conflict with a decentralised and sustainable waste management system as outlined in the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016. Evidence of pollution from such plants makes them a poor choice. They should only be considered if no other option is available and with controlled pollution technology,” said Gauri Sarin, convener of Gurgaon residents against pollution and making model Gurgaon.“Setting up a waste-to-energy plant goes against solid waste management rules, 2016. Under these rules, dry waste should be recycled, wet waste should be composted at the source, and only the remaining inert or residual waste should be sent to cement plants or waste-to-energy facilities for disposal,” said environmentalist Vaishali Rana.
