Nagpur: Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Saturday declared that Nagpur is poised to become a national model for scientific waste management with the commissioning of India's first integrated municipal solid waste processing facility. This Rs300-crore private-sector project, developed by international waste management company SusBDe under a public-private partnership, is designed to convert the city's garbage into biogas, compost, and industrial fuel.
Project Overview
After inspecting the facility at Bhandewadi, Fadnavis stated that it would transform the concept of a 'garbage-free city' into reality by ensuring nearly all municipal waste generated in Nagpur is scientifically processed rather than dumped in landfills. "This is the first integrated urban solid waste processing project of its kind in the country. It will help realise the vision of a garbage-free city while creating valuable resources from waste," Fadnavis said.
Key Features
- Capacity: Once fully operational, the facility will process 1,200 metric tonnes of wet and dry waste daily.
- Phased Implementation: The project is being implemented in three phases and is expected to become fully operational by August.
- Products: Waste will be converted into biogas, compost fertilizer, and fuel pellets produced from dry waste through advanced technologies.
- Biogas for Transport: A key component is the production of 28 tonnes of biogas per day, which will supply green energy in the form of CNG for 198 city buses.
Economic and Environmental Benefits
Fadnavis noted that the project would generate annual royalty revenue of Rs15 lakh for the Nagpur Municipal Corporation through gas sales. Importantly, the facility is being developed entirely through private investment, sparing the civic body from capital expenditure while reducing recurring costs associated with waste disposal. "The project will save the expenditure incurred on handling nearly 1,300 metric tonnes of waste generated every day and will ensure scientific disposal without causing environmental damage," he added.
The facility will produce high-quality compost for agricultural use and fuel pellets for energy generation, including industrial applications. The CM expressed confidence that the Bhandewadi facility would emerge as a benchmark for urban waste management across India and reinforce Nagpur's reputation as a leader in municipal innovation and green infrastructure.
Stakeholder Support
Revenue Minister and Nagpur Guardian Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule, MLAs Krishna Khopde and Pravin Datke, Mayor Neeta Thakre, Deputy Mayor Leena Hatibed, Standing Committee Chairperson Shivani Dani Wakhre, Minority Commission Chairman Pyare Khan, Municipal Commissioner Vipin Itankar, and company officials were present during the visit. Earlier, SusBDe Executive Director Runda Thakur briefed the CM on the project's technology and operational framework, while Mayor Thakre and Commissioner Itankar assured full civic support for its implementation.
