Nagpur Earns Rs 300 Crore Annually From Sewage Treatment Leading India
Nagpur has emerged as a national exemplar in urban sustainability, pioneering an innovative waste-to-wealth model that generates an impressive ₹300 crore annually through the treatment and industrial reuse of sewage water. This transformative approach not only yields substantial revenue but also significantly conserves precious freshwater resources, mitigates river pollution, and sets a powerful precedent for integrated urban waste management across India, aligning with the vision for eco-friendly and equitable cities.
The city’s robust sewage management infrastructure processes approximately 330 million litres per day (MLD) of sewage from a total daily generation of 520-550 MLD. Central to this success are multiple large-scale treatment facilities, including the flagship Bhandewadi plant and a modern 200 MLD facility developed under a public-private partnership. The meticulously treated water is subsequently supplied to major power plants, such as Koradi and Khaparkheda, effectively replacing their reliance on freshwater and conserving an estimated 190 MLD of potable water daily.
This innovative circular economy model, lauded by national leadership, is underpinned by a tripartite agreement involving the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC), Maharashtra State Power Generation Company (MAHAGENCO), and private operators. This collaborative framework demonstrates how strategic partnerships can convert urban waste challenges into significant economic opportunities. Beyond water reuse, the NMC further enhances its environmental credentials by producing bio-compressed natural gas (bio-CNG) from organic waste, which fuels municipal vehicles, thereby reducing reliance on fossil fuels and lowering the city’s carbon footprint.
Nagpur’s success is now serving as a blueprint for regional development, with 15 surrounding towns slated to receive modern Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) under the Swachh Bharat Mission (Urban) 2.0. This expansion aims to achieve a total regional treatment capacity of 1,654 MLD, promising to alleviate the pollution burden on local rivers like Nag and Pili. While the expansion faces some hurdles, notably land acquisition issues for two proposed STP projects in central Nagpur, officials remain optimistic, with site surveys completed and joint inspections underway, signalling continued commitment to this sustainable vision.
The city’s journey from heavily polluted rivers to a leader in resource recovery was catalysed by urgent environmental needs and judicial intervention, which mandated capacity expansion and the construction of new STPs. Nagpur’s adoption of advanced treatment technologies, such as sequencing batch reactors with tertiary treatment, ensures that the treated water meets stringent quality standards, making it suitable for industrial cooling and construction purposes. This commitment to high-quality treated water underscores a holistic approach to urban water management.
Nagpur’s achievements powerfully illustrate how visionary leadership, cross-sector collaboration, and strategic investment in sustainable infrastructure can transform urban challenges into engines of growth and environmental stewardship. The city’s experience unequivocally demonstrates that waste is not merely a liability but a valuable resource, capable of funding public services, protecting vital water bodies, and stimulating the local economy. As India’s urban centres grapple with escalating waste and water crises, Nagpur offers a compelling, replicable model for a more sustainable, equitable, and prosperous urban future.
