Agra, once burdened by a toxic landfill, has achieved a landmark transformation. The city’s municipal corporation, guided by the Swachh Bharat Mission (Urban) 2.0, has turned a former dumpsite into a model of sustainable urban waste management. This journey started in 2019 and continues to inspire cities nationwide.
Background of the Dumpsite
The Kuberpur site served as Agra’s main landfill since 2007. Thousands of tons of solid waste were dumped daily. Over time, the site became a major environmental and health hazard. The need for a sustainable solution became urgent.
Initiation of Waste Removal
In 2019, inspired by national leadership, Agra Municipal Corporation began clearing legacy waste. Bioremediation and biomining technologies were introduced. These methods break down and recover valuable materials from old waste. This process was supported by SPAAK Super Infra Pvt. Ltd.
Establishment of Waste Processing Facilities
To handle ongoing waste, a 300 tons per day (TPD) waste-to-compost plant was set up in 2019. This was later expanded to 500 TPD. Four Material Recovery Facilities (MRFs) with a combined capacity of 405 TPD were established citywide. These facilities ensure efficient segregation and processing of waste.
Waste Segregation and Collection
Agra implemented 100% source-level segregation of waste. Door-to-door collection of segregated waste became mandatory. This improved waste quality and reduced landfill dependency.
Land Reclamation and Eco-Restoration
By December 2024, about 1.9 million metric tons of waste were removed from the dumpsite. This reclaimed 47 acres of land at a cost of ₹320 crores. Ten acres were afforested using the Miyawaki technique, creating dense green patches. Five acres were converted into a sanitary landfill for inert waste. The rest became an eco-friendly zone with plans for a 10-acre urban forest.
Plastic Waste Recycling Innovation
Recently, a 65 TPD MRF-cum-Plastic Waste Processing Plant was inaugurated. This plant recycles plastic waste into water pipes. These pipes are affordable for farmers, promoting circular economy and rural development.
Educational and Awareness Initiatives
The site now serves as a learning centre. Students and researchers from schools, colleges, IITs, and research institutes visit to study sustainable urban waste management. It acts as a hub for environmental education and innovation.
Alignment With National Missions
Agra’s transformation aligns with the goals of Swachh Bharat Mission (Urban) 2.0. It demonstrates effective urban governance, sustainable development, and environmental conservation. The city is now a national example of how to convert waste challenges into green opportunities.
Questions for UPSC:
- Discuss in the light of Agra’s waste management success, how urban local bodies can adopt sustainable waste processing technologies to improve public health and environment.
- Examine the role of bioremediation and biomining in land reclamation. With suitable examples, discuss their impact on urban environmental restoration.
- Analyse the challenges of implementing 100% source-level segregation of waste in Indian cities. How can behavioural change and policy enforcement be balanced?
- Critically discuss the potential of circular economy models in plastic waste management. How can innovations like plastic-to-pipe recycling benefit rural agriculture and urban sustainability?
