Nashik Municipal Corporation Sets Ambitious 2026 Deadline for Upgraded CNG Plant
The Nashik Municipal Corporation (NMC) has established a firm deadline of September 2026 for commissioning its significantly upgraded wet waste-based compressed natural gas (CNG) plant at Pathardi, located on the outskirts of the city. This transformative project is designed to convert the civic body's previously non-operational waste-to-energy facility into a more sustainable and economically viable green fuel production system.
Public-Private Partnership Drives Technical Overhaul
According to senior NMC officials, a private agency has already been finalized through a comprehensive tendering process, with a formal work order issued. Groundwork is anticipated to commence in the near future. The upgraded facility will be developed under a public-private partnership (PPP) model, where the appointed agency will undertake full responsibility for the technical overhaul, commissioning, and long-term operation of the plant for a period of 15 years.
"Following the general body's approval last year, we successfully completed the tender process and selected an agency that will independently upgrade, manage, and operate the plant for 15 years," an official stated. The private partner is set to invest nearly Rs 4.5 crore into the technical upgrade, procurement of new machinery, and system integration. In return, NMC will secure a revenue share from the sale of the generated CNG, fixed at Rs 4.5 per kilogram. This innovative model is expected to ensure financial viability without imposing additional capital burdens on municipal resources.
Operational Details and Waste Supply Confidence
The upcoming facility is projected to generate an impressive 480 kilograms of CNG per day, requiring 30 metric tonnes of segregated wet waste as daily input. Officials expressed strong confidence in the supply chain, citing the recent emphasis on mandatory waste segregation at source across the city. "Given the recent emphasis on mandatory segregation of waste at source, we anticipate adequate supply of wet waste to sustain the plant. We are confident of the facility being made operational within six months," officials added, highlighting the alignment with broader waste management policies.
Learning from Past Challenges
NMC's earlier waste-to-energy plant at Pathardi, established in 2015 with technical support from the German development agency GIZ, was awarded to a Bengaluru-based operator with an initial target of producing 3,300 units of power daily. However, the project encountered persistent technical and operational challenges, and the operator failed to achieve the expected output. The civic body ultimately terminated the contract in July 2021 and assumed control of the plant.
Subsequent attempts by NMC to operate the plant using food waste from local hotels were hampered by inconsistent supply and operational hurdles, leading to the unit's shutdown. This history of difficulties prompted the strategic shift towards the current CNG-based model, which civic officials believe will deliver superior efficiency, consistent output, and sustainable waste management for Nashik.
The revamped project represents a significant step forward in green energy initiatives, aiming to transform municipal waste into a valuable resource while addressing previous inefficiencies. With the private investment and structured PPP framework, Nashik is poised to enhance its environmental sustainability and energy independence through this innovative approach.
