Mumbai is on the verge of hosting its inaugural waste treatment plant designed to generate biogas from recycling 1,000 metric tonnes (MT) of solid waste daily near the Deonar landfill. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has allocated a land parcel for the project, while Mahanagar Gas Limited (MGL) is set to finance the installation of the necessary equipment.
Significance of the Initiative:
Currently, Mumbai produces 6,000 tonnes of solid waste, with 3,500 tonnes constituting wet waste (comprising damp, organic, and degradable materials) and the rest being dry waste (including non-degradable items like plastic). A considerable portion of this waste remains untreated. The civic body is spearheading this initiative to recycle the existing heap of solid waste and convert it into biogas.
Benefits of the Project:
The generated biogas will serve as a sustainable fuel source for residential, commercial, and industrial units. MGL will facilitate the distribution of gas through a dedicated pipeline, contributing to the increased use of green energy. Additionally, this approach paves the way for the sustainable utilization of the city’s solid waste, regularly accumulating at the Deonar landfill.
Administrative Perspective:
Dr. Sudhakar Shinde, Additional Municipal Commissioner, highlights, “The proposed plant will have a maximum capacity of treating 1,000 MT of wet waste every day, nearly one-third of the daily wet waste generated. The primary objective is to repurpose the city’s waste efficiently. Once operational, this plant will significantly enhance waste recycling and lead to a substantial reduction in pollution levels.”
Current Progress:
The BMC has formalized a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with MGL to establish this plant, with the project expected to be operational by the conclusion of 2024.
