The tender process for the proposed 1,200-tonnes-per-day (TPD) waste-to-energy (WtE) plant at the Vellalore dump yard, intended to process municipal solid waste from Coimbatore and Tiruppur, has been postponed by a month.The tenders, which were scheduled to be opened on July 31, were deferred following a representation submitted to Tamil Nadu Prohibition and Excise Minister K. Vignesh by the Kurichi–Vellalore Pollution Prevention Joint Action Committee, and Poovulagin Nanbargal.The representation sought withdrawal of the proposed WtE project, permanent closure of the Vellalore dump yard, scientific removal of legacy waste through biomining and implementation of decentralised solid waste management in line with the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2026. It contended that residents had been affected for years by air pollution, foul odour and groundwater contamination caused by the dump yard.“We requested the Minister to withdraw the proposed Waste-to-Energy project and stop the tender process. After hearing our concerns, he assured us that the tender scheduled to be opened on July 31 would be postponed by a month and that he would consult the concerned officials before taking a decision,” said K.S. Mohan, secretary of the Kurichi–Vellalore Pollution Prevention Joint Action Committee.“We welcome the assurance and hope the government will review the proposal in line with the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2026, and adopt decentralised waste management instead of a waste-to-energy plant,” he added. Published - July 31, 2026 08:41 pm IST