Ghaziabad Municipal Corporation (GMC) is set to establish its first bio-CNG plant at the Dundahera sewage treatment plant (STP). The facility will produce 1,700 kilograms of compressed natural gas (CNG) every day, enough to fuel over 3,000 households and 350 vehicles. The plant will be developed under a public-private partnership with VA Tech WABAG Limited.
Addressing Odor and Pollution Issues
The Dundahera STP, which has the capacity to treat 70 million litres of waste per day, has long been a source of concern for residents of the adjoining Crossings Republik township. The facility traps methane and hydrogen sulphide, which are frequently released into the surrounding air, causing a persistent foul odour across the area. The new bio-CNG plant will capture these gases and convert them into usable fuel, directly addressing a long-standing civic grievance.
Project Details and Timeline
Municipal Commissioner Vikramaditya Singh Malik stated, "GMC has entered into an agreement with VA Tech WABAG Limited to set up a bio-CNG plant in the city on a PPP mode. It will produce 1,700 kg of CNG per day while reducing harmful gas emissions. This will be the state's first bio-CNG plant." The plant will be set up on a build-operate-transfer basis, with the company managing operations for 14 years. Revenue from CNG sales will be shared with the GMC. The plant is expected to be operational within a year, Malik added.
How Bio-CNG is Produced
Bio-CNG is a renewable fuel produced when microorganisms break down organic matter such as wastewater sludge, food waste, and crop residue in an oxygen-free anaerobic digester. This process yields methane with up to 95% purity, compared with conventional CNG extracted from fossil sources.
Environmental Impact and Carbon Credits
The project has been in the pipeline since 2022, when the state government cleared a proposal for bio-CNG plants across Ghaziabad, Gorakhpur, Prayagraj and Lucknow. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath formally announced the initiative in April 2023. Officials estimate the plant will cut carbon emissions by approximately 250,000 metric tonnes over its project life. GMC has also registered under the Verified Carbon Standard programme, backed by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, enabling it to earn and monetise carbon credits.
