Delhi Commissions First Green Waste Recycling Plant at ITO.

The Public Works Department recently inaugurated Delhi’s first dedicated green waste processing plant to scientifically manage horticultural waste generated along city roads.

PWD minister Parvesh Verma launched the facility near ITO, describing it as a long-awaited step towards sustainable waste management. He said the plant is the first of its kind for processing green waste collected from stretches maintained by the department.

The facility will process branches, shrubs and other pruning waste into compost, which will be reused for landscaping and plantation work across the capital. “Despite maintaining thousands of kilometres of roads and green belts, the department earlier did not have any green waste processing plant. Delhi now has dedicated infrastructure to scientifically process horticulture waste instead of dumping it,” the minister said.

Government officials noted that the initiative addresses repeated complaints from residents’ welfare associations and schools about piles of pruned branches and fallen trees lying unattended along roadsides for days, causing foul odours, blocked footpaths and inconvenience to commuters.

Similar facilities have been completed at Patparganj Industrial Area, Secretariat Nursery, Mukarba Chowk Nursery, Lajwanti Nursery in west Delhi, Sukhdev Vihar and RK Puram. Six more plants are planned in the next phase. Officials said the long-term goal is to establish at least one such facility in every district to promote decentralised waste management.

The compost generated at these plants will be used by the PWD’s horticulture wing for maintaining central verges, roadside plantations and gardens. Authorities said the move will reduce waste dumping, cut transportation costs and improve soil quality.

The initiative is also expected to help prevent drain blockages during the monsoon and minimise traffic disruptions caused by unattended green waste, officials added.