Prayagraj Launches UPs First Bio CNG Plant for Waste
Uttar Pradesh has taken a significant leap toward sustainable waste management with the launch of its first bio-CNG plant in Prayagraj. Built in Arail, Naini, the facility aims to process 100 tonnes of organic waste daily and transform urban waste into clean fuel and fertiliser. The initiative marks a crucial step in reducing landfill dependency and promoting a circular economy in one of India’s most populous states.
On its inaugural day, around 20 tonnes of wet organic waste, primarily sourced from restaurants and households, were delivered by Prayagraj Municipal Corporation. Over the coming weeks, the plant will scale up to handle the city’s full organic waste load, which is expected to touch 100 tonnes daily. Officials noted that this operational ramp-up is crucial to unlocking the plant’s total processing capacity of 343 tonnes per day. The ₹153 crore project—developed under a Public-Private Partnership model—is expected to produce 21.5 tonnes of bio-CNG, 109 tonnes of solid organic manure, and 100 tonnes of liquid bio-fertiliser per day once it reaches full capacity. The municipal corporation has allotted 12.49 acres in Jehangirabad for the facility, with a private concessionaire entrusted with operations under a 25-year agreement.
The plant’s infrastructure includes high-efficiency imported machinery for segregating, pulping and processing waste through a trommel machine and anaerobic digesters. Bio-CNG production is already underway using 200 tonnes of wet waste daily. The remaining 143-tonne capacity, earmarked for agricultural waste such as cow dung and paddy straw, is currently being developed. In an integrated green effort, over 2,000 saplings have been planted across the facility’s premises to enhance carbon sequestration. Additionally, door-to-door collection agencies have been instructed to prioritise wet waste to ensure uninterrupted input supply. Authorities are urging residents to strictly segregate waste at the source to maximise efficiency. Officials highlighted that the facility will contribute significantly to carbon reduction, with an estimated 56,700 tonnes of CO₂ savings annually.
The plant is also expected to generate employment for over 200 individuals, including 40 direct jobs at the facility and around 160 indirect jobs in waste collection, transport and ancillary services. During the initial phase, 30 tonnes of cow dung are being added daily to trigger anaerobic digestion. The system will become self-sustaining within 45 days, after which the microbial ecosystem will function without external inputs. This facility not only addresses the issue of mounting urban waste but also reinforces the city’s environmental commitments. By converting discarded waste into clean energy and organic fertiliser, Prayagraj is emerging as a model for eco-conscious infrastructure development. However, officials caution that the plant’s long-term success hinges on public participation in source segregation and sustained administrative support.
The move reflects a growing awareness among Indian cities to integrate sustainable technologies into essential services, with Prayagraj leading the way in transforming urban waste into green energy.
