Delhi finds 500 unauthorised dairies generating 274 tonnes of waste daily

Delhi’s assessment of 557 dairy and gaushala units has identified 500 unauthorised dairies that collectively house about 22,540 cattle and generate around 274 metric tonnes of waste each day.

Across all the units surveyed, officials counted more than 1.2 lakh cattle and estimated daily dairy waste at about 1,500 metric tonnes. The assessment recorded 11 authorised dairies with 60,210 cattle and 734 metric tonnes of daily waste. Four authorised gaushalas accounted for 19,638 cattle and 240 metric tonnes, while 42 private gaushalas housed 20,776 cattle and generated about 252 metric tonnes.

A senior Delhi government official said dung and other dairy waste dumped in the open or entering drains can block drainage networks, create foul odours and affect water quality. Waste entering drains can eventually reach the Yamuna.

The government has proposed biogas plants at Ghazipur Dairy, Ghazipur Paper Market and Bhalswa Dairy to process dairy waste. The Ghazipur Dairy facility is planned for 300 tonnes a day; the other plants are proposed with capacities between 125 and 200 tonnes a day.