Power generation from waste-to-energy project in Ramtekdi expected by June-end: PMC officials

Pune: The waste-to-energy plant in Ramtekdi is set to start generating electricity by June-end, around eight years after it was originally planned, civic officials have confidently claimed.

The civic body will expedite the plant’s work after elected members raised questions about its lack of operations or utility. “The process of fund generation to start electricity production is under way now. It is expected to be completed soon,” said Santosh Warule, head of the solid waste management department at Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC).

Civic officials said they also hope to get financial aid from Centre for the project.

Nilesh Nikam, leader of opposition in PMC, said, “There were big claims about generating power made by the administration. But it all just remained on paper, leading to waste of public funds. Neither the purpose of generating electricity nor disposal of trash is served. The project should start at the earliest. Even other plants operating at low capacity now should be improved.”

Official data says that Pune city generates around 2,300 tonne (MT) of garbage daily. More than 350 vehicles are deployed for collecting and transporting waste by PMC.

Union govt provides Central financial assistance to project developers and service charges to implementation/inspection agencies with respect to successful commissioning of waste-to-energy plants for generation of biogas, bio-CNG/enriched biogas/compressed biogas, and power/generation of syngas.