In a landmark decision for urban sanitation, Nagpur is set to completely eliminate fresh garbage dumping at the Bhandewadi landfill site starting January 1, 2024. The Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) has announced this revolutionary shift toward scientific waste management through the commissioning of new processing facilities.
New Waste Processing Plant Nears Completion
Municipal Commissioner Abhijeet Chaudhari conducted a comprehensive inspection of the newly constructed solid waste processing plant at Bhandewadi on Saturday, reviewing final preparations for its commissioning. The facility, developed by Pune-based Bhumi Green Pvt Ltd, represents a crucial component of Nagpur's waste management transformation.
The 500 metric tonne-per-day plant spans across 10 acres adjacent to the existing dumping yard and will convert municipal solid waste into organic compost and refuse-derived fuel (RDF). Officials confirmed the plant is in its final completion stage and will commence trial operations within the next 15 days.
Addressing Nagpur's Waste Challenge
Nagpur currently generates approximately 1,300 metric tonnes of solid waste daily. The existing integrated solid waste management project operated by SuSBde processes between 700-800 MT, while the remaining waste has been accumulating at the Bhandewadi site - a situation that has raised significant environmental and public health concerns over the years.
The Bhandewadi dumping yard, spread over 55 acres, currently contains more than 10 lakh metric tonnes of legacy waste occupying nearly 15 acres. This historical accumulation has created pressing environmental challenges that the new initiative aims to resolve.
Commissioner's Directive for Swift Implementation
During the inspection, Commissioner Chaudhari issued clear instructions to accelerate remaining construction works, including internal and approach roads, power supply connections, and drinking water arrangements. He mandated completion of all pending tasks within 15 days and ordered the removal of accumulated garbage surrounding the project site.
"Our goal is clear - by December-end, both plants will be running at full capacity. From January 1, no fresh garbage will be dumped at Bhandewadi. Everything will be processed scientifically," Chaudhari emphatically stated to The Times of India.
The inspection team included Additional Commissioner Vasumana Pant, Deputy Commissioner Rajesh Bhagat, Superintendent Engineer Shweta Banerjee, Chief Sanitation Officer Dr. Gajendra Mahalle, and representatives from Bhumi Green.
India's Largest CBG Plant Progresses
Simultaneously, work on India's largest municipal solid waste-to-compressed biogas (CBG) plant at Bhandewadi has reached advanced stages. The ambitious project, being developed on 30 acres using Dry Anaerobic Digestion technology, has transitioned from structural development to initial operational testing phases.
This significant undertaking is being executed by SUSBDE LOC Nagpur Pvt Ltd - a joint venture between the Keva Group and Netherlands-based Waste Treatment Technologies (WTT). The project will undergo phase-wise hot commissioning in three distinct stages, with the final stage targeted for completion by March 2026.
NMC recently granted a four-month extension for the CBG project after prolonged monsoon conditions delayed construction progress. Commissioner Chaudhari also reviewed ongoing work at the SuSBde plant and directed the agency to accelerate development timelines.
Transforming Urban Sanitation Landscape
Commissioner Chaudhari described the integrated waste management initiatives as a 'game-changer' for Nagpur. The transition to complete waste processing is expected to dramatically reduce the city's dependency on landfills, mitigate environmental hazards, and substantially improve urban sanitation standards.
These comprehensive efforts align with national waste management objectives and position Nagpur to achieve its ambition of becoming a zero-dumping city from next year. The successful implementation of these projects will serve as a model for other Indian cities grappling with similar waste management challenges.
