Starting this June, the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation Ltd. (DMRC) has contracted a waste-to-energy plant to power coaches on its Pink Line. The DMRC will receive 2 megawatts of power from M/s East Delhi Waste Processing Company Limited (EDWPCL), a 12-megawatt waste-to-energy plant in Ghazipur. However, the actual energy offtake will depend on the plant’s generational capacity.

The Pink Line is a stretch of 38 metro stations from Majlis Park to Shiv Vihar, both in North Delhi; electricity for the line’s daily operations will be taken from the Vinod Nagar Receiving Sub-station of the DMRC. “This will be the first ever attempt by any Metro project in the country to procure and utilise energy from waste to energy plants and thus contribute towards (the) Swachh Bharat Mission,” said the DMRC in a statement.

The press note highlighted the announcement as one of several eco-friendly initiatives at the DMRC—the body has previously received carbon credits from the UN for reducing over 6 lakh tonnes of potential emissions in the city. The DMRC also claims to produce 28 MW of solar power from rooftop plants at stations, depots and residential premises.

Given Delhi’s growing landfill issues, the body intends to emphasise on the importance of waste management. Ghazipur, where the plant is situated, is home to Delhi’s oldest and largest garbage dump. The mound is just 8 metres (approx. 26 feet) shy of rivalling the Qutub Minar.