The Prime Minister recently unveiled the “Gobar-Dhan (Bio-CNG) Plant” in Indore. Aimed at eliminating tons of waste and reducing the environmental pollution that leads to numerous diseases, this plant comes as a significant step towards a cleaner India. The Gobar-Dhan Plant is part of the second phase of the Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM-U 2.0), functioning on the zero landfill model which means no waste would be produced.
The project anticipates yielding multiple environmental benefits such as reducing greenhouse gas emissions, green energy production, and creating organic compost for use as fertilizer.
Overview of Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban 2.0 (SBM-U 2.0)
The continuation of the first phase of SBM-U was announced in Budget 2021-22 as SBM-U 2.0. Focusing on secure containment, disposal, and transportation of fecal sludge and septage from toilets, the government has rolled out this mission. Originally launched on 2nd October 2014, the first phase of SBM-U aimed to make urban India Open Defecation Free (ODF) and manage municipal solid waste scientifically.
Spanning over five years from 2021 to 2026, the mission will receive an outlay of Rs.1.41 lakh crore. Implementing principles like “waste to wealth” and “circular economy”, the mission seeks to transform the way we view and handle waste.
Objectives of SBM-U 2.0
The primary focus of SBM-U 2.0 is source segregation of garbage, reducing single-use plastic, air pollution, and managing waste from construction and demolition activities effectively through bioremediation of all legacy dump sites. It also echoes an emphasis on treating all wastewater before discharging it into water bodies and prioritizing maximum reuse.
Expected Outcomes of the Mission
As a result of this mission, all statutory towns will earn the ODF+ certification, emphasizing toilets with water, maintenance, and hygiene. Statutory towns with less than 1 lakh population are expected to receive the ODF++ certification, focusing on toilets with sludge and septage management.
Half of all statutory towns with less than 1 lakh population will be Water+ certified, an initiative for sustaining toilets by treating and reusing water. Furthermore, all statutory towns will attain at least a 3-star rating as per MoHUA’s Star Rating Protocol for Garbage Free cities. Bioremediation of all legacy dumpsites is another anticipated outcome of the mission.
Last Modified: February 15, 2024