In a major step towards sustainable waste management and environmental conservation, Uttar Pradesh inaugurated its first bio-CNG plant at Arail in Naini on Wednesday.On its opening day, the Prayagraj Municipal Corporation delivered approximately 20 tonnes of organic wet waste—mainly from kitchens and restaurants—for processing, officials said.Project head Himanshu Srivastava noted that in the coming weeks, the state’s first such plant will handle up to 100 tonnes of organic waste daily. All wet waste generated in Prayagraj will now be directed here, ensuring efficient processing and resource recovery. Complementing this green initiative, the municipal corporation has partnered to plant 2,100 saplings on the plant premises, contributing to the city’s afforestation goals.The state-of-the-art facility was built at a cost of Rs 1.53 billion, officials confirmed.Waste treatment begins with a trommel machine that segregates material, which is then crushed into pulp by specialised machinery. Advanced bio-CNG production follows, utilising imported high-efficiency equipment.Municipal Commissioner Sai Teja urged residents to segregate wet and dry waste before disposal. Door-to-door collection agencies have been instructed to prioritise wet waste collection, vital for the plant’s smooth operation and optimal output, he added.With a robust processing capacity of 343 tonnes per day (TPD), the plant aims to produce 21.5 tonnes of bio-CNG, 109 tonnes of solid organic manure, and 100 tonnes of liquid bio-fertiliser daily once fully operational.Currently, bio-CNG production has commenced using 200 tonnes of wet waste, while the remaining 143 TPD capacity—designed for paddy straw and cow dung—is under development.Environmental engineer Uttam Verma highlighted the plant’s potential to transform previously discarded waste into valuable resources. The facility is projected to earn Rs 5.3 million annually by converting leftovers, vegetable peels, and flower waste into 8.9 tonnes of bio-CNG and 109 tonnes of fertiliser daily.Developed under a public-private partnership model, the Corporation has allocated 12.49 acres in Jehangirabad, Naini, for the project. Ever Enviro Resource Management Pvt Ltd will operate the plant under a 25-year agreement, officials said.To initiate biogas production, 30 tonnes of cow dung will be introduced daily during the initial phase to stimulate bacterial digestion. After approximately 40–45 days, the system will become self-sustaining, eliminating the need for additional dung input.The plant’s first phase, equipped with two digesters, currently produces 8.9 tonnes of bio-CNG daily from 200 tonnes of waste. The second phase will expand capacity to reach the full target of 21.5 tonnes per day.The project is expected to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by about 56,700 tonnes annually, significantly cut landfill use, lower greenhouse gas emissions, and improve local air quality. Additionally, it will generate employment for around 200 people—40 direct jobs on-site and over 150 indirect roles—boosting the local economy, officials explained.