The Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) has initiated a crucial dry run for its newly constructed solid waste processing facility at the Bhandewadi dumping yard. This significant step marks the final phase before the plant's full-scale operation, which is slated to begin on January 20.
A Major Boost for Nagpur's Waste Management
Developed by Bhumi Green Energy Envirocare LLP on a sprawling 10-acre plot, the plant is designed to tackle a substantial portion of the city's daily waste output. Once fully functional, it is expected to process approximately 500 metric tonnes of fresh garbage every single day. This comes as a major relief for Nagpur, which generates a total of nearly 1,300 metric tonnes of municipal solid waste daily.
Currently, around 800 metric tonnes are being treated through the existing SuSBdE (Sustainable Business Development Corporation Limited) system. The commissioning of the Bhumi Green plant is projected to ensure that almost all newly collected garbage in the city undergoes scientific processing, bringing Nagpur closer to a sustainable waste management model.
High-Level Inspection and Key Directives
Municipal Commissioner Abhijeet Chaudhari personally inspected the dry run operations. He was accompanied by Additional Commissioner Vasumana Pant and senior officials from the engineering and sanitation departments. The commissioner reviewed each operational stage in detail, with a special focus on the vehicle weighing area.
During the inspection, Chaudhari issued several key directives to ensure the plant's efficiency from day one:
- Ensure smooth traffic movement and avoid queues for garbage vehicles.
- Maintain strict cleanliness standards across the entire site.
- Complete all remaining ancillary works at the earliest.
- Clean the nearby drains to prevent any operational hindrances.
- Guarantee an uninterrupted supply of garbage for the ongoing dry run.
Clearing Legacy Waste and Revenue Model
The project itself is a feat of rapid execution, having been built in just four months. To create the necessary space, a portion of the legacy waste accumulated at Bhandewadi had to be cleared first. The facility will convert processed waste into organic compost and Refuse Derived Fuel (RDF), promoting a circular economy approach.
Bhumi Green has been engaged under a five-year contract, with the NMC paying the company approximately Rs 772 per metric tonne for processing waste at Bhandewadi. In a contrasting financial model, the Netherlands-based SuSBdE firm processes garbage free of cost, and the NMC even generates revenue from that arrangement.
Commissioner Chaudhari commended the coordinated efforts of all NMC departments involved. He urged the teams to swiftly wrap up pending activities so the plant can operate at full capacity, significantly reducing the environmental and logistical burden on the Bhandewadi site. This progress also fuels hope that the massive, long-standing garbage heaps at the yard will gradually disappear as work on clearing and treating the legacy waste continues in parallel.
