NGT issues notice on Delhi e-waste eco park plan

New Delhi: National Green Tribunal has issued notice to Delhi govt, Delhi Pollution Control Committee, DSIIDC and Central Pollution Control Board on a plea challenging the proposed e-waste eco park at Holambi Kalan village on 8.5 hectares of land in north Delhi.The application, filed by Gram Vikas Samiti Holambi Kalan, alleged that the land was residential in nature and its use was subsequently changed from residential to utility for the park. The applicant’s counsel referred to a notification dated June 18, 2025, concerning the change of land use and argued that e-waste management facilities are not among the services or activities covered under the utility category in the master plan.The applicant further claimed that the e-waste management plant is a red-category industry and is required to follow the siting criteria, which has been prescribed in the Control of Water Pollution (Grant, Refusal or Cancellation of Consent) Guidelines, 2025.During the hearing, the counsel for the applicant pointed to guideline No. 9, which prescribes a minimum distance of 500 metres from settlements, educational institutions, places of worship, archaeological monuments, national parks, reserve forests and heritage sites for industrial units. It was also submitted that Holambi Kalan village is adjacent to the project site on its western side and that eight schools are located within 500 metres of the proposed facility.“Relying upon Rule 10 of the E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2022, the applicant has submitted that e-waste dismantling and recycling facility can be set up on earmarked or allocated industrial space and sheds in the existing and upcoming industrial parks, estates and industrial clusters. He submits that present e-waste management facility is in none of these areas,” observed the bench headed by Justice Prakash Shrivastava and expert member Afroz Ahmad in an order dated May 29, which was shared on Wednesday.The tribunal has asked all the respondents to file affidavit of service at least one week before the next date of hearing on Sept 10.TOI earlier reported that Delhi is one of the significant hubs of e-waste, contributing 9.5% of the country’s e-waste, which amounts to around 2.3 lakh metric tons.