<p>The BJP’s show of support to three waste-to-energy plants in Ohkla, Bawana and Ghazipur in its MCD polls manifesto has not gone down well with residents and environmentalists. <br /><br /></p>.<p>The Okhla plant is already functioning.<br /><br /> The BJP said that it will support the construction of the two other plants if it is voted to power.<br /><br />In 2008, the BJP had written to Lieutenant Governor Tejendra Khanna, expressing apprehension over the location of the plants in residential areas. <br /><br />“This (Okhla) plant will release harmful gases and pose a threat to nearby residents,” BJP MP Vijay Kumar Malhotra had written to the governor on June 27, 2008.<br /><br />“We should boycott voting for Congress and BJP since both parties are supporting these plants,” said environment activist Gopal Krishnan.<br /><br />Members of Bhartiya Kachra Intazamia Andolan and All-India Kachra Shramik Mahasangh (AIKSM), apart from expressing concern over harmful effects on health, stated that the livelihood of ragpickers will be affected. <br /><br />“There are 3.5 lakh ragpickers in the Capital. These plants will take away their livelihood without giving anything in return,” said Dharmender Yadav, general secretary of AIKSM.<br /><br />According to Krishnan, the plan of converting waste to electricity will not work since the waste collected in the city has no calorific value. <br /><br />“The waste comprises 38 per cent vegetables and 40 per cent glass, which cannot produce electricity. The only substance with a high calorific value is plastic, which is 0.75 per cent of total waste collected. How much electricity can this much amount of plastic produce?” said Krishnan.<br /><br />Residents in localities near Ohkla power plant have already started experiencing breathing problems.<br /><br />“In Haji Colony near Jamia Nagar, nobody wants to marry our sons because of the constant stench coming from the plant,” said Afzal of Haji Nagar.<br /><br />“In Sukhdev Vihar, reports of children being diagnosed with asthma are coming. And this is not even a far-flung area; this is right in the middle of the city, where even Jamia Millia Islamia, Escorts and Apollo Hospital are located,” added Afzal.<br /><br />According to activists, emissions from the plant include suspended particulate matter, sulphur oxides, nitrogen oxides, hydrogen chloride, and dioxins and furans.<br /><br /> “These are among the most toxic substances known to science,” said Krishnan. <br /><br />“Such emissions have been known to cause birth deformities, cancer, respiratory ailments and hormonal problems,” added Krishnan.<br /></p>
<p>The BJP’s show of support to three waste-to-energy plants in Ohkla, Bawana and Ghazipur in its MCD polls manifesto has not gone down well with residents and environmentalists. <br /><br /></p>.<p>The Okhla plant is already functioning.<br /><br /> The BJP said that it will support the construction of the two other plants if it is voted to power.<br /><br />In 2008, the BJP had written to Lieutenant Governor Tejendra Khanna, expressing apprehension over the location of the plants in residential areas. <br /><br />“This (Okhla) plant will release harmful gases and pose a threat to nearby residents,” BJP MP Vijay Kumar Malhotra had written to the governor on June 27, 2008.<br /><br />“We should boycott voting for Congress and BJP since both parties are supporting these plants,” said environment activist Gopal Krishnan.<br /><br />Members of Bhartiya Kachra Intazamia Andolan and All-India Kachra Shramik Mahasangh (AIKSM), apart from expressing concern over harmful effects on health, stated that the livelihood of ragpickers will be affected. <br /><br />“There are 3.5 lakh ragpickers in the Capital. These plants will take away their livelihood without giving anything in return,” said Dharmender Yadav, general secretary of AIKSM.<br /><br />According to Krishnan, the plan of converting waste to electricity will not work since the waste collected in the city has no calorific value. <br /><br />“The waste comprises 38 per cent vegetables and 40 per cent glass, which cannot produce electricity. The only substance with a high calorific value is plastic, which is 0.75 per cent of total waste collected. How much electricity can this much amount of plastic produce?” said Krishnan.<br /><br />Residents in localities near Ohkla power plant have already started experiencing breathing problems.<br /><br />“In Haji Colony near Jamia Nagar, nobody wants to marry our sons because of the constant stench coming from the plant,” said Afzal of Haji Nagar.<br /><br />“In Sukhdev Vihar, reports of children being diagnosed with asthma are coming. And this is not even a far-flung area; this is right in the middle of the city, where even Jamia Millia Islamia, Escorts and Apollo Hospital are located,” added Afzal.<br /><br />According to activists, emissions from the plant include suspended particulate matter, sulphur oxides, nitrogen oxides, hydrogen chloride, and dioxins and furans.<br /><br /> “These are among the most toxic substances known to science,” said Krishnan. <br /><br />“Such emissions have been known to cause birth deformities, cancer, respiratory ailments and hormonal problems,” added Krishnan.<br /></p>
