The Noida Authority plans to set up a waste-to-compressed-biogas plant in Sector 80 to address the growing volume of horticulture waste generated across the city and promote its conversion into clean energy, Hindustan Times reported.
Noida generates an estimated 100-120 tonnes of horticulture waste every day. The waste is currently transported to dumping sites in Sectors 32 and 105, but the facilities are already under pressure, creating difficulties in collection, disposal and natural decomposition.
The authority has identified 12 acres in Sector 80 for the proposed waste processing facility and has invited agencies to participate in the project through an expression of interest.
Anand Mohan Singh, deputy director of the Noida Authority, said the selected agency would be responsible for the project’s design, financing, construction and operation.
The initial concession period will be 12 years, with a provision to extend it by up to three years.
Under the proposed project, horticulture waste collected from different parts of Noida will be brought to the facility for segregation and processing. The organic material will then be converted into compressed biogas, while the agency will also manage the remaining waste.
The operator will additionally be responsible for removing and transporting legacy horticulture waste accumulated at existing dumping locations. It may also procure horticulture waste from other sources to improve the long-term viability of the facility.
The proposed plant is also expected to reduce the pressure on existing dumping grounds, particularly the site in Sector 32, which has repeatedly created fire and pollution concerns for nearby residents.
A major fire at the Sector 32 dumping site in March 2024 continued for nearly five days. About 150 firefighters and 15 water tenders were deployed, with more than four million litres of water used to bring the blaze under control.
Another major fire was reported at the same site in March last year and continued for several days, highlighting the risks associated with the accumulation of horticulture waste.
The selected agency will be required to make the new processing facility operational within 18 months from the appointed date.
The project is expected to provide Noida with a more organised system for handling horticulture waste while converting a significant portion of the material into compressed biogas instead of sending it to already overburdened dumping sites.
