Residents of North Chennai are once again making headlines as they intensify their opposition to the Kodungaiyur waste-to-energy plant. The project, part of the Greater Chennai Corporation’s ₹1,268.38 crore Integrated Solid Waste Processing Facility (IWPF), has faced resistance since its proposal. Now, the community has taken a new step. They’ve teamed up with environmental and financial experts to prepare alternatives that are safer, more sustainable, and people-friendly.
At the heart of the protest is the Federation of North Chennai Residents’ Welfare Associations, which has been vocal against the project from day one. T.K. Shanmugam, the federation’s president, recently met with Chennai Mayor R. Priya. While the mayor maintained that the project cannot be scrapped, she encouraged residents to come up with viable alternatives. This has now paved the way for expert-led discussions focused on decentralized waste management.
One such alternative is being drafted by the Centre for Financial Accountability (CFA). D.K. Chythenyen from CFA confirmed that the new plan will rely on proven methods like biomethanation, public participation in waste segregation, and zero-waste principles. These ideas draw inspiration from Kerala’s successful models and international examples like the Philippines, where up to 90% of waste is managed through recycling and composting. These systems are not only eco-friendly but also generate local employment, making them more inclusive.
The Kodungaiyur project includes a WtE power plant, an automated material recovery facility (MRF), a composting unit, and a bio-CNG plant. However, the largest share of the funds—₹1,026.41 crore—is allocated to the WtE and MRF components. Many see this as an over-investment in a method known to cause pollution and health risks. Residents argue that the focus should shift to models that reduce incineration and promote source-level waste handling.
This concern is not without basis. The CFA had earlier studied the performance of WtE plants in Delhi. Their findings were alarming. Delhi’s WtE facilities produce over 3.98 crore cubic metres of flue gas daily and emit around 12,325 tonnes of CO₂. Each ton of incinerated waste releases around 5,500 cubic metres of hot flue gas, posing a serious environmental threat. These emissions, combined with inconsistent monitoring between 2020 and 2024 as flagged by the Central Pollution Control Board, cast doubt on WtE’s long-term safety.
Adding to the legal argument, the Federation of Residents Welfare Associations recently sent a letter to the GCC. It stated that the Kodungaiyur dump yard lies in an ‘Institutional Use Zone’, where waste dumping is actually prohibited as per Chennai’s Second Master Plan for 2026. The letter also highlighted how years of dumping have led to rising respiratory issues and other serious diseases among low-income communities living nearby.
Still, the GCC remains firm. A senior Solid Waste Management official confirmed that there are no plans to cancel the Kodungaiyur waste-to-energy plant. In fact, the Corporation recently floated an ₹8.53 crore tender to appoint an independent engineer for project oversight. This move shows that the city is moving full steam ahead, even as objections mount.
The project was also boosted by insights the GCC team brought back from their visit to Paris, where modern WtE systems are in use. However, critics argue that comparing Paris to North Chennai is unfair due to massive differences in infrastructure, climate, population density, and enforcement capacity.
Meanwhile, protests are gaining traction. In May 2025, residents formed a human chain and launched a signature campaign with noted Carnatic singer T.M. Krishna. These peaceful demonstrations are aimed at pushing the government to rethink the current model and embrace cleaner alternatives that involve local communities rather than displacing them.
With Chennai’s waste burden rising, the need for efficient systems is real. But the bigger question is: should this come at the cost of public health and environmental safety? For North Chennai residents, the answer is a clear no.
