New Delhi: The Union Government has strengthened regulatory and monitoring mechanisms for municipal solid waste (MSW) incineration-based Waste-to-Energy (WTE) plants, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) informed Parliament on Tuesday.
In a written reply to the Lok Sabha, Union Minister of State Kirti Vardhan Singh said that Schedule II of the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016 prescribes standards for processing, treatment, and emissions from thermal waste-processing technologies. If incineration ash contains toxic metal concentrations beyond permissible limits, it must be sent to hazardous waste treatment and disposal facilities as mandated under Hazardous Waste Management Rules, 2008.
Draft Guidelines Released for Public Consultation
The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has issued draft guidelines for MSW incineration-based WTE plants for public feedback. The guidelines include –
- Dedicated leachate collection and treatment systems
- Standards for bottom ash and fly ash management
- Modalities for reuse, recycling, or disposal of non-hazardous ash
- Provisions aligned with Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016
Additionally, a draft Environmental Damage Cost Assessment (EDCA) report has been released for consultation.
Mandatory Real-Time Emission Monitoring via OCEMS
CPCB has issued directions to all State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs) and Pollution Control Committees (PCCs) requiring the installation of Online Continuous Emission Monitoring Systems (OCEMS) in all operational and upcoming WTE plants.
Under the directive issued on 12 August 2025, all OCEMS data must be linked to SPCB/PCC servers and the CPCB’s central monitoring system within three months.
Since 2015, CPCB has also mandated OCEMS installation for 17 categories of highly polluting industries. Real-time emissions data is transmitted directly to authorities, and if pollutant levels breach prescribed norms, SMS alerts are automatically sent to units and regulators for immediate corrective action.
New Consent Mechanism Under Air & Water Acts
The MoEF&CC, in consultation with CPCB, has notified new guidelines for grant, refusal, or cancellation of consent under the Water Act (1974) and Air Act (1981).
Issued on 29–30 January 2025, these guidelines –
- Introduce a uniform consent framework
- Streamline approvals into a single-step process
- Set strict timelines for granting or refusing consent
- Categorize industries into Red, Orange, and Green categories for faster processing
Air Quality Measures Through CAQM & NCAP
The reply also highlighted broader air quality initiatives –
CAQM for Delhi-NCR
The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) coordinates air quality interventions across Delhi and NCR, issuing –
- Directions and advisories
- Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) measures during severe pollution episodes
National Clean Air Programme (NCAP)
Launched in 2019, NCAP aims to improve air quality in 130 cities across 24 States/UTs, including Greater Mumbai and Vasai-Virar.
City-level clean air plans target pollution sources such as –
- Road and soil dust
- Vehicular emissions
- Waste burning
- Construction and demolition dust
- Industrial pollution
The programme leverages funds through convergence of central and state schemes, municipal bodies, and development authorities.
