CPCB to study project's environmental impact

The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) will conduct a detailed study on the environmental impact of the Okhla-Timarpur waste-to-energy plant, being built by the city government in south Delhi.

The setting up of the plant has been questioned both by the Union Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh as well as the locals.

The local residents met Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit on Wednesday and vehemently opposed the plant on the grounds that it will pollute the "whole surrounding."

The meeting didn't seem to go well as at one point, the chief minister, apparently failing to convince them about necessity of the plant, stormed out of the meeting.

Dikshit also spoke to Ramesh who had shot off a letter to her three days back raising several questions about the plant. The minister had told the CM that the CPCB will conduct a study of the plant.

"The Chief Minister apprised Ramesh about government's position on the project. Ramesh told Dikshit that the CPCB will carry out a study and will suggest necessary measures to stop any possible contamination or any other environmental hazards," a senior Delhi Government official said.

In his letter, Ramesh who had also visited the site of the project last week, said that the opinion of the public should have been taken before finalising the project.