Thane civic body to adopt IIT-Bombay’s technology to set up state’s largest eco-friendly wet waste-to-fertiliser project

Thane: The Thane Municipal Corporation will adopt an IIT-Bombay patented technology to set up and operate the state’s largest 400-tonne capacity wet waste-to-fertiliser project on a three-acre plot located within the forest area at Gaimukh, transport minister Pratap Sarnaik informed on Friday. Sarnaik made the announcement during a review of various civic works along the Ghodbunder Road with Thane municipal officials.
“The Thane Municipal Corporation received ₹150 crore funds from the state under the basic facilities development scheme, which includes two composting projects with 97-tonne capacity at Gaimukh and 50-tonne at Nagla Bandar. I have instructed the administration to merge these projects and utilise the space under the municipal corporation’s ownership at Gaimukh,” he said.
The administration will adopt the hi-tech IIT-B patented Solarised Control Windrow Composting, which is more eco-friendly than conventional methods. The system recycles maximum wet waste in minimum space, officials said. “The plant will scientifically process around 300 to 400 tonnes of wet waste daily at the three-acre plot in the Gaimukh area. Once operational, the waste-to-fertiliser project will be the largest of its kind in the state,” said Sarnaik.
A press statement issued by the Thane Corporation said the land where the project will come up is located between the national park and Tungreshwar range and has received approval from the forest department. The process is eco-friendly with zero impact on the surroundings, it is learnt.
In addition, the Thane Corporation plans to operationalise the Treatment Of The Waste On The Go (TOWGO) – a mobile vehicle that converts compost from about two tonnes of wet waste while on the move. Two vehicles have already been deployed in Thane, and 20 more vehicles will be made available soon, officials said.
Meanwhile, green activists have raised questions about the project considering the corporation was recently rapped by the NGT over illegal waste dumping in the vicinity.