Ahmedabad plans for new bio-CNG project in budget

The Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) has proposed a Rs 20 crore Bio-CNG plant in its 2026–27 budget. The corporation has branded the bio-CNG project as the ‘Kanchana Project from Waste’ as part of its vision to transform the city into a “Zero Waste City.”  The ‘Wealth from Waste’ project is said to have emerged as a key highlight of the Standing Committee’s financial plan for the upcoming fiscal year.

The Ahmedabad bio-CNG project is designed to process the large quantity of organic waste generated daily across the city, particularly from hotels and commercial kitchens. Officials noted that this waste, rich in biodegradable content, can be efficiently converted into clean energy through scientific processing.

Under the proposed system, organic waste will undergo biodigestion to produce biogas. This biogas will then be purified and upgraded into Bio-CNG, which can be distributed through existing gas pipeline networks for various applications.

The residual slurry generated during the process will be repurposed as organic fertilizer, ensuring complete utilization of waste material.

To implement the project, AMC has earmarked Rs 20 crore for setting up and commissioning the plant. The civic body plans to develop the facility under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model to leverage private sector expertise. Additionally, Rs 25 crore has been allocated for package biogas plants targeting bulk waste generators, also on a PPP basis.

The bio-CNG initiative supports broader sustainability agenda and net-zero goals of the Ahmedabad civic body. By reducing landfill dependency and generating renewable fuel, the city aims to cut greenhouse gas emissions significantly, with projections indicating substantial gas savings and emission reductions by 2028–29.

Recently, Union Home Minister Amit Shah inaugurated Gujarat’s largest waste-to-energy plant in Piplaj area as part of the ‘Clean Ahmedabad’ initiative. In May 2024, Adani Total Gas Limited (ATGL) invited EPC Contractors to participate in the procurement process for “Design, Engineer, Build, and Operate 500 TPD Capacity Bio-CNG (CBG) Plant” for Municipal Solid Waste at Ahmedabad.