Gobar-Dhan (Bio-CNG) Plant:
The Prime Minister has inaugurated “Gobar-Dhan (Bio-CNG) Plant” in Indore with the aim of removing lakhs of tonnes of garbage that is occupying thousand acres of land and causing air and water pollution leading to many diseases.
- It has been established under the second phase of Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM-U 2.0).
- The plant is based on zero landfill models, whereby no rejects would be generated. Additionally, the project is expected to yield multiple environmental benefits, viz. reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, providing green energy along with organic compost as fertilizer.
Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban 2.0
- SBM-U 2.0 was announced in Budget 2021-22, as the continuation of SBM-U first phase.
- The government is trying to tap safe containment, transportation, disposal of fecal sludge, and septage from toilets.
- SBM-U first phase was launched on 2nd October 2014 aiming at making urban India Open Defecation Free (ODF) and achieving 100% scientific management of municipal solid waste. It lasted till October 2019.
- It will be implemented over five years from 2021 to 2026 with an outlay of Rs.1.41 lakh crore.
- The Mission is being implemented under the overarching principles of “waste to wealth”, and “circular economy”.
- It focuses on source segregation of garbage, reduction in single-use plastic and air pollution, by effectively managing waste from construction and demolition activities and bioremediation of all legacy dump sites.
- Under this mission, all wastewater will be treated properly before it is discharged into water bodies, and the government is trying to make maximum reuse a priority.
- Mission outcomes:
- All statutory towns will become ODF+ certified (focuses on toilets with water, maintenance and hygiene)
- All statutory towns with less than 1 lakh population will become ODF++ certified (focuses on toilets with sludge and septage management).
- 50% of all statutory towns with less than 1 lakh population will become Water+ certified (aims to sustain toilets by treating and reuse of water).
- All statutory towns will be at least 3-star Garbage Free rated as per MoHUA’s Star Rating Protocol for Garbage Free cities.
- Bioremediation of all legacy dumpsites.
