Uttar Pradesh gets first bio-CNG plant in Prayagraj; CM Yogi inaugurates before ‘Mahakumbh’

The first bio-CNG plant of Uttar Pradesh is ready in Naini of Prayagraj city and inaugurated by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath today. The Chief Minister held that the new plant will play an important role in the field of environmental protection and clean energy. The plant, set to become operationalised on the onset of ‘Mahakumbh-2025’ which is the largest conglomeration on the plant.

The plant will convert 200 tonnes of wet waste into 21,500 kilograms of bio-CNG and 209 tonnes of organic manure. As per sources, in the initial phase, the newly built bio-CNG facility will process 343 tonnes of waste, supplemented by 143 tonnes of paddy straw and cow dung.

Part of the Prayagraj Renewable Natural Gas project, the plant is projected to generate Rs 53 lakh in annual revenue under the government’s waste-to-wealth initiative. Built on 12.49 acres in the Arail area, the Rs 125 crore project follows a PPP model. The civic body has signed in Enviro Resource Management Private Limited as the private partner under a 25-year contract.

Additionally, a bottling facility will be established to produce 5, 10, and 15-kilogram bio-CNG containers. These bio-CNG containers will be available for sale at local petrol stations and to industrial clients. The project is expected to create 200 jobs.

Prayagraj produces approximately 600 tonnes of waste daily. Uttar Pradesh’s bioenergy policy (2022) aims to establish 100 biogas plants, offering incentives like full exemption on stamp duty for land purchases and 100% reimbursement of state GST for ten years.

Rising Uttar Pradesh In Terms Of Bioenergy

As per a recent estimate, Uttar Pradesh has the greatest potential for biomethane production due to its rich organic feedstock. The state could generate nearly 25% of the country’s total biogas and has the capacity to develop 1,000 compressed biogas projects by utilizing just 20% of its surplus organic material.

Earlier this month, CM Yogi Adityanath unveiled the state government’s plans to set up compressed biogas (CBG) plants using cow dung, where the Uttar Pradesh government will be offering land for these green energy initiatives. As per Invest-UP, Uttar Pradesh has the most advanced bioenergy policy in India and leads in the number of upcoming CBG projects. The state leads in the production of biogas in the country with a daily generation capacity of 210 tonnes. Recently, a state level committee sanctioned the development of over half a century bioenergy projects including 21 compressed biogas projects.