Bhopal: In a major step towards sustainable waste management, Bhopal is set to host Madhya Pradesh’s first green waste processing plant, aimed at converting organic waste into eco-friendly fuel, reports Free Press Journal.
The plant, to be developed by the Bhopal Municipal Corporation (BMC), will be built under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model at an estimated cost of ₹8 crore. It will focus on producing biomass briquettes—an alternative biofuel—from the city’s green waste, including wood, leaves, and plant material.
Currently, Bhopal generates around five tonnes of green waste daily, with no proper system in place for its disposal. BMC officials say the new facility will help solve this growing problem while also creating a new source of income. The initiative is part of the Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM), and BMC has already begun searching for a suitable site.
Under the PPP model, a private firm will invest in and operate the plant, while BMC will provide the land and regular green waste from across the city. The civic body will also assist in marketing and distributing the final product. One of the key potential buyers of the biomass briquettes is the Sanchi Milk Union, which could serve as a steady source of revenue.
In addition to this project, another facility is being set up nearby to manufacture biodegradable products from green waste. Operated by Astronomical Industries Private Limited, this second plant will also run on a PPP basis. While Bhopal generates five tonnes of green waste each day, Indore produces around 30 tonnes, suggesting the potential for similar projects in other cities.
BMC Commissioner Harendra Narayan told The Free Press that the tender process has been completed and the project is likely to start within a month. “The plant will help reduce the burden of green waste in the city and will also be a source of income through royalties,” he said. Officials are also planning a visit to Chandigarh to study a similar plant already in operation there.
Biomass briquettes are compressed blocks made from green waste, offering an eco-friendly alternative to traditional fuels like coal or charcoal. They can be used for cooking, industrial heating, and electricity generation. As they emit far fewer harmful gases, biomass briquettes are both environmentally sustainable and cost-effective.
