Ahmedabad: As part of its ambitious transition toward becoming a “Zero Waste City,” the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) has proposed an innovative project to generate Bio-CNG from organic waste. The initiative, titled the “Kanchana Project from Waste” (Wealth from Waste), is a key highlight of the Standing Committee’s budget for the 2026–27 fiscal year.

Harnessing Organic Waste

The project aims to address the significant volume of organic waste generated daily within the city, particularly from hotels and kitchens. According to the budget proposal, this waste has a high organic content that can be effectively processed into clean fuel.

The technical process involves:

• Biodigestion: Organic waste will be fed into biodigesters to produce biogas.

• Bio-CNG Production: The biogas will then be purified into Bio-CNG, which can be supplied through existing gas network pipelines for various uses.

• Byproduct Utilization: The slurry remaining after the digestion process will be repurposed as organic fertilizer, ensuring 100% processing of the waste material.

Financial and Operational Model

The Standing Committee has allocated Rs. 20.00 crore for the installation and commissioning of this advanced processing plant. To ensure efficiency and leverage private sector expertise, the AMC intends to execute this project on a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) basis. This joins a separate provision of Rs. 25.00 crore for package biogas plants specifically designed for bulk waste generators, also to be developed via the PPP model.

Environmental and Economic Impact

This initiative is a cornerstone of Ahmedabad’s “Sustainable and Adaptive” vision. By converting hotel and kitchen waste into Bio-CNG, the city expects to significantly reduce the burden on landfills while creating a sustainable source of renewable energy.

The project aligns with the city’s broader goal of reaching Net-Zero emissions. Projections indicate that by 2028–29, the implementation of various green energy actions—including waste-to-energy projects—will lead to a cumulative saving of 1.37 lakh cubic meters of gas and a reduction of approximately 11.5 lakh tons of greenhouse gas emissions.
By integrating Bio-CNG production into its waste management strategy, Ahmedabad continues to position itself as a leader in urban sustainability and “Wealth from Waste” innovation. DeshGujarat