Swachh Survekshan 2023: The city of lakes features at the top amongst the cleanest State capitals and at number 5 amongst the top 10 clean cities across the nation.

The diligent endeavours of the Bhopal Municipal Corporation have had a noticeable impact on Swachh Survekshan-2023. Moving up from the 6th position in 2022, Bhopal is now the 5th cleanest city among those with a population of over 1 lakh. Bhopal has also been awarded a 5-star Garbage Free City (GFC) rating, making it the cleanest State capital in the country. Additionally, Bhopal ranks 5th amongst the cleanest million plus cities.

Bhopal's ascent in recent years can be attributed to its adoption of best practices, innovation, and distinctiveness. Let's delve into what sets Bhopal apart from the rest. The city produces 850 tons of waste daily, and the entire waste stream is processed every day. The Municipal Corporation's concentrated initiatives, ranging from scientific disposal of waste and waste-to-wealth projects to recycling C&D waste, CNG-powered waste collection vehicles, emphasis on Reduce, Reuse Recyle (3Rs), are noteworthy. The aesthetic appeal of the city has been enhanced by the removal of garbage vulnerable points. Waste is now efficiently collected and processed through C&D, bio-CNG and charcoal plants.

To improve waste collection and segregation in the city, 469 door-to-door garbage collection vehicles have been deployed, accompanied by 202 road sweeping waste collection vehicles dedicated to routine cleaning. These vehicles collect waste and transport it to the nearest transfer station. Each transfer station is equipped with green and blue capsules featuring hook loaders. To ensure the effective processing and disposal of waste, a well-organized segregation system has been implemented at all 12 Transfer Stations in Bhopal. Currently, the city has 6 Material Recovery Facility (MRF). The transformation of the Bhanpur dumpsite into a green area underscores their commitment to sustainable urban planning. They have scientifically treated the waste at Bhanpur dumpsite, which spans 37 acres. 21 acres of land has been reclaimed and a park has been established on 16 acres of reclaimed land.

Bhopal Municipal Corporation has shifted from traditional waste treatment and utilizes hazardous waste as a valuable source of fuel. The city has collaborated with Hazargo Industry Pithampur, marking the establishment of the first pre-processing plant here to scientifically manage the hazardous waste released from homes, offices, and factories. A common Bio-Medical Waste Treatment Facility (CBMWTF) to effectively process the bio-medical waste has been established in the city. This facility oversees the comprehensive handling, transportation, storage, and treatment of medical waste from various healthcare facilities in the surrounding areas.

The construction and demolition (C&D) waste of the city is being managed at a 100 TPD processing plant in Thuakheda, Bhopal. The facility segregates waste materials like steel, wood, plastic, soil, and concrete, depositing them separately in a designated yard. The processed waste is being used to create fly ash bricks and paver blocks.

A comprehensive system has been implemented for liquid waste management in Bhopal including 18 sewage treatment plants (STPs) and 8 co-treatment plants. Approx. 31% of the treated water from the STP is being reused in various applications such as central verge, fountain, fish farming and for agriculture and horticulture purposes. Additionally, a sewage network has been established here covering 56% of the area. Almost 29% of the available septic tanks in the area are ensured to be emptied through digital monitoring within three years. BMC has a scientific landfill at Adampur Chawani. A leachate treatment plant has been established for treatment of collected leachate and the treated water is being reused for maintaining green belt.

As part of the ongoing projects, NTPC has signed an agreement with BMC for setting up of 400 TPD dry Municipal Solid Waste to torrefied charcoal plant. The torrefied charcoal produced will be used as a by-product in the thermal power plants of NTPC. A Bio- CNG plant with the daily processing capacity of 400 TPD is being installed at Adampur in Bhopal spanning across 9 acres. The plant is expected to yield 80 MT of organic manure per day out of wet waste. Going forward Bhopal MC plans to continue its upward journey towards a garbage-free city, setting benchmarks for others to follow.