TNPCB report flags dangerously excessive ranges of poisonous metals in Manali waste incinerator ash

A report submitted by the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB) earlier than the southern bench of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) exhibits that the Greater Chennai Corporation’s (GCC) waste incinerator in Manali has been storing incinerator backside ash with dangerously excessive ranges of heavy metals equivalent to cadmium, chromium, and lead. 

Laboratory exams confirmed that cadmium ranges had been discovered to vary between 291.6 and 364.5 mg/kg, in comparison with the protected restrict of 1.0 mg/kg, indicating an exceedance of round 364 occasions. Lead ranges had been additionally extraordinarily excessive, starting from 349.2 to 436.5 mg/kg, about 87 occasions the appropriate customary. 

The plant, which incinerates as much as 10 tonnes of non-biodegradable waste every single day,  was initially issued consent in 2019 by the TNPCB.

However, throughout an  inspection on April 2, 2025, TNPCB officers discovered the incinerator inactive however traces of latest exercise, together with scorching ash, advised ongoing operations. The facility’s air air pollution management methods, particularly the venturi and moist scrubbers, had been present in a dilapidated state, rendering them ineffective in filtering out dangerous emissions. The TNPCB additionally discovered that incinerator ash was saved on open floor. This poisonous ash was reportedly being despatched to the Kodungaiyur dump yard for additional processing. In gentle of those violations, the TNPCB ordered the GCC to stop operations on April 2, till the plant applies for renewal of consent to function.

A follow-up inspection on April 7, 2025, confirmed the plant remained inactive. However, the TNPCB didn’t get a response from the GCC relating to the renewal utility.