Patna Municipal Corporation Revives Ambitious Waste-to-Energy Project with Fresh Tender
The Patna Municipal Corporation (PMC) has reissued bids for a major integrated solid waste management facility, featuring a waste-to-energy plant, at the Ramchak Bairiya landfill site. This Rs 514-crore initiative aims to scientifically handle 1,600 tonnes of municipal solid waste each day, marking a significant step toward sustainable urban development.
Key Components of the Mega Project
The project will include multiple advanced facilities designed to maximize waste utilization and minimize environmental impact. A 15-MW waste-to-energy plant will convert non-recyclable dry waste into refuse-derived fuel (RDF) to generate electricity. Additionally, the setup will feature:
- A 100-tonne-per-day (TPD) biomethanation plant for producing compressed biogas.
- A 250-TPD MRF-cum-RDF plant to process materials into fuel.
- A 50-TPD material recovery facility (MRF) for segregation and recycling of waste.
- A 700-TPD compost plant to transform organic waste into high-quality fertiliser.
- A 325-TPD sanitary landfill for the safe disposal of residual waste.
These state-of-the-art components will be developed on 42 acres of the 82-acre landfill site, with completion expected within 1.5 years after the tender is finalized.
Scope and Implementation Model
The facility will serve Patna and 12 nearby urban local bodies, including Danapur, Fatuha, Khagaul, Phulwarisharif, Bihta, Sampatchak, Maner, and Masaurhi. It will be implemented under a public-private partnership (PPP) model using the Design-Build-Finance-Operate-Transfer (DBFOT) approach, ensuring efficient management and operation.
PMC officials explained that the earlier tender was cancelled after receiving only a single response, which, as per government rules, required scrapping to promote transparency and wider competition. Harshita, the public relations officer of PMC, stated, "The tender was reissued on Thursday, and a firm meeting all eligibility criteria will be selected soon for this mega project. Coming up at the Ramchak Bairiya landfill site, the facility will ensure proper processing and disposal of garbage generated by Patna and nearby urban local bodies."
Transformation and Broader Goals
Patna Mayor Sita Sahu emphasized that once operational, the plant will revolutionize the city's waste management system by generating clean energy, producing biogas and compost, recovering recyclable materials, and ensuring scientific disposal of residual waste. She noted that this project is part of broader efforts, including bio-mining of legacy waste at the site, to develop a modern and sustainable solid waste management system in alignment with the Swachh Bharat Mission.
Mayor Sahu added, "Advanced waste processing will also help improve Patna's ranking in the Swachh Survekshan, contributing to a cleaner and healthier urban environment."
Current Waste Management Challenges
Currently, nine plants are operational at Ramchak Bairiya, including seven units for legacy waste processing, one MRF, and one facility for fresh waste. A survey conducted in February last year, on instructions from the Urban Development and Housing Department, found approximately 13 lakh tonnes of accumulated legacy waste at the site.
Officials reported that three agencies processed around 10 lakh tonnes of legacy waste last year. However, due to the continuous accumulation of fresh waste, the garbage mound has again exceeded 10 lakh tonnes. These agencies have been processing between 2,500 and 3,000 tonnes of waste daily, highlighting the urgent need for the new integrated facility to manage the growing waste burden effectively.
