13 October,2026 07:13 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis calls for task forces to set up waste-to-CBG projects. Pic/ CMO
Maharashtra Chief Minister (CM) Devendra Fadnavis has directed officials to form task forces to expedite projects that convert waste into compressed biogas (CBG), as the state looks to reduce the burden of urban waste and move towards garbage-free cities.
At a meeting held at his official residence, Varsha, in Mumbai on Tuesday, Fadnavis directed officials to identify suitable locations and establish projects in line with the state's CBG policy.
The meeting reviewed proposed projects and the feasibility of adopting waste-to-biogas technology across Maharashtra. Minister of State Madhuri Misal, Mumbai Municipal Commissioner Ashwini Bhide and Additional Chief Secretary of the Urban Development Department KH Govindraj were among those present.
Representatives of Keva Green, including Executive Director Vrinda Thakur, Managing Director Kedar Vaze and Director Nandan Vaze, presented details of the company's waste-to-biogas project in Nagpur and outlined the potential for similar initiatives across the state.
Fadnavis asked officials to explore the establishment of CBG projects in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) area, Vasai-Virar, Mira-Bhayandar and Kalyan-Dombivli, as well as in the Hinjawadi and Chakan areas of Pune.
Highlighting the waste management challenges in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, he said project planning must account for the volume of waste generated, land availability, the suitability of technology and proximity to gas pipelines.
He also called for an implementation framework involving companies in the sector, oil companies and local self-government bodies.
According to the Chief Minister, converting waste into biogas could help municipal corporations reduce expenditure on waste collection while supporting efforts to make cities garbage-free.
The meeting discussed the possibility of developing a cluster-based model in which neighbouring cities could be brought together to process waste generated across municipal corporation areas.
Officials also considered segregating waste at source within cities and shifting subsequent processing to suitable locations outside urban areas to ease pressure on scarce urban land.
Locating CBG plants close to gas pipelines could reduce the cost of transporting the gas produced, while the selection of appropriate technologies and sites would be crucial to project viability.
The discussions also covered the experience of the Nagpur project, waste segregation, land requirements and pipeline connectivity.
The meeting was attended by Swachh Maharashtra Mission Director Navnath Waghmare; Keva Green Executive Director Vrinda Thakur, Managing Director Kedar Vaze and Director Nandan Vaze; Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) Chief General Manager Indrajit Singh and General Manager Santosh Varshne; and Tjerd van Berg of WTT.
Municipal commissioners from across Maharashtra joined the meeting through video conferencing.
