The Greater Noida Industrial Development Authority (GNIDA) is moving forward with plans to establish a 300-tonne-per-day (TPD) compressed biogas plant at the Astauli dumpsite, located approximately 20 kilometers from Pari Chowk. This initiative marks a significant step towards improving waste management and reducing legacy garbage in the city.
Project Details and Cost
The authority has issued a request for proposal (RFP) for the project, which is estimated to cost Rs 80 crore. GNIDA senior manager Chetram Singh confirmed that the RFP was initially issued last week but was temporarily put on hold due to technical issues. He stated that the revised RFP will be released in the coming days. The plant will process municipal solid waste and convert it into compressed biogas, a clean and sustainable fuel alternative.
Impact on Waste Management
Officials believe the proposed plant will significantly ease the burden on the Astauli landfill by handling both fresh waste and legacy waste through biomining and scientific disposal methods. Greater Noida has been facing mounting waste management challenges due to rapid urbanization and population growth. The Astauli site, spanning 134 acres, currently serves as the primary landfill for the region, receiving municipal solid waste from Greater Noida and adjoining areas. The city's population has surged from around one lakh in 2011 to nearly 1.5 million by 2026, intensifying pressure on existing waste processing infrastructure.
Background and Previous Delays
The Astauli landfill site received environmental clearances in 2016, but the project was stalled for several years due to land acquisition disputes. Farmers protested and refused to part with their land, delaying progress. GNIDA eventually resolved these issues in 2020, paving the way for work to begin.
Additional Facilities at Astauli
The new plant will be the second such facility at Astauli. A 300 TPD waste-to-bio-CNG plant is already under development at the site and is expected to become operational by January next year. Additionally, NTPC Ltd is developing a 900 TPD waste-to-torrefied charcoal plant to convert municipal solid waste into 'green coal'. This facility will thermally treat segregated combustible waste in an oxygen-deficient environment to produce a charcoal-like fuel with properties similar to conventional coal, further strengthening the site's integrated waste management ecosystem.
