In a major green initiative, New Delhi station will become the first railway premise in the country to produce about 2000 units of electricity from the "Waste to energy" plant.
The "Waste to energy" (Bio methanation) plant will be commissioned by June this year, Divisional Railway Manager of Delhi Division Arun Arora said adding "It is a first-of-its-kind project for disposal of solid waste in environmental-friendly manner and generation of energy from the garbage.
The Bio methanation plant is being set up at New Delhi station at 15,000 sq metre area to handle 15 tonne of municipal solid waste per day and the plant will produce electricity and manure.
RITES, a railways PSU, has floated the tenders inviting bidders for the project estimated to cost about Rs 15 lakh. The bid is slated to open in February 22.
Railways will bear the capital cost of the plant. After commissioning of the plant contractor shall operate and maintain it for the next 5 years. The expected life of the plant shall be minimum 12 years.
As per the plan, waste generated at New Delhi Railway station shall be segregated into biodegradable and recyclable waste. Biodegradable waste shall get converted into electrical energy and manure.
Approximately 2,000 Units of electricity will be produced in the plant per day and it will be purchased by the Railways from the contractor at a rate it is supplied to local municipal domestic users.
Additionally the Railways will also procure manure from the contractor.
Railways generate a substantial amount of solid waste by passengers, visitors, vendors and staff. The solid waste consists of biodegradable as well as non-biodegradable materials.
At present solid waste generated at stations are transferred to nearest designated location of municipality and in this process a considerable effort and physical transportation are required. However, the delay in transfer also causes early degradation leading to unhygienic circumstances within the railway premises.