Union Minister Nitin Gadkari recently highlighted Nagpur’s impressive waste management practices, revealing that the city’s civic body generates an annual revenue of ₹300 crore. This substantial income comes from treating sewage and selling the processed material to nearby industries. Gadkari shared these insights during the Sthanik Swarajya Sanstha Diwas program held on August 31, 2024.
Organic Waste-to-Biofuel Initiative
Gadkari also introduced a new initiative aimed at further enhancing Nagpur’s sustainability efforts. The city has implemented a bio-digester system that processes organic waste to produce methane. This methane is then converted into biofuels, contributing to the city’s environmental goals. “In Nagpur, we now put organic waste into a bio-digester to produce methane, which is used to create biofuels,” Gadkari explained.
Promoting the Value of Waste
Emphasising the importance of waste as a resource, Gadkari remarked, “Garbage should become so valuable that people demand to acquire it.” His statement underscores his commitment to turning waste into valuable resources and advancing sustainability.
Additional Initiatives and Advocacy
In addition to his work in Nagpur, Gadkari has been active in promoting sustainable practices on a larger scale. Last year, he proposed using waste from Delhi’s landfill sites for the construction of Urban Extension Road (UER) 2, aiming to create the city’s third ring road while incorporating waste materials.
Gadkari has also called on state finance ministers to consider reducing the GST on flex-fuel vehicles to 12%, as part of his broader efforts to support environmental sustainability and renewable energy initiatives.
Through these initiatives, Gadkari continues to drive progress in integrating renewable resources into infrastructure projects and advancing environmental sustainability.