CM Vijay announces waste-to-energy plant in Salem over a month after Corpn. Council rejected it

Officials say 57% of waste to be used in this plant would come from the four cities of Salem, Erode, Karur, and Namakkal. | Photo Credit: E. LAKSHMI NARAYANAN On September 2, Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay announced under the 110 rule that a waste-to-energy project would be established within the Salem Corporation limits at ₹291 crore to generate 10 MW of electricity.A little over a month ago, however, the Salem Corporation Council passed a resolution against establishing the waste-to-energy plant within the civic body’s limits during a meeting on July 29 and had cancelled the agenda brought up for the plant.It was on November 6, 2025, that a private consulting company, appointed by the Tamil Nadu Urban Infrastructure Financial Services Limited (TNUIFSL) as an advisor for the waste-to-energy plant project, conducted a meeting with officials, including the commissioners of Salem and Namakkal Corporations, on the need for this facility in Salem.In a subsequent letter, dated January 22, 2026, the company requested the Salem District Collector to identify 40-50 acres for the project. Following this, the DRO and Salem Corporation Commissioner identified 92.49 acres at Vellakalpatti in Jahir Ammapalayam village in the city.On February 28, 2026, the Director of Municipal Administration (DMA), through videoconferencing, instructed the officials concerned to utilise the land for the project. Salem, Erode, Namakkal and Dharmapuri districts were clubbed into a single cluster under this project.The officials were also instructed to add Karur corporation into this cluster and transfer land ownership to the Salem Corporation for free.Salem corporationOfficials said 57% of waste to be used in this plant would come from the four cities of Salem (30%), Erode (14%), Karur (9%) and Namakkal (4%). The remaining 43% would come from other local bodies.For this facility, 100 kilolitres of water (1 lakh litres) to 150 kilolitres of normal water and purified water from sewage treatment plants (STPs) would be used, the officials added, seeking anonymity.During the Council of the Salem Corporation on July 29, however, councillors from DMK and AIADMK opposed the move and passed a resolution against it by cancelling the agenda brought to establish the facility.Pollution concernsSpeaking to The Hindu on Saturday (September 5), Ward 22 AIADMK Councillor K.C. Selvaraj alleged that the project would pollute groundwater and air in the region. He said groundwater in localities in a 30-km radius of the project as well as corporation wards 1, 2, 3, 4 and 18 would be affected. “Salem is not a dump yard for five districts,” he said.“The ruling TVK-led government is bringing projects already rejected by the council. Earlier, all councillors had opposed the privatisation of drinking water. Even after resolutions were passed against these projects, the State government is allocating funds and implementing them,” Mr. Selvaraj alleged.When contacted, Salem Corporation Mayor (DMK) A. Ramachandran said the resolution passed against the project during the Council meeting had been sent to the DMA office. “Now, the Chief Minister has announced this project. We will wait and see what resolution will be brought in the next council meeting regarding this project,” the Mayor added. Published - September 05, 2026 11:59 pm IST