Srinagar Smart City Chosen For Innovative Integrated Waste Management Project

Srinagar: In a significant development to promote sustainable urban development, the Srinagar Smart City has been chosen as one of the beneficiaries of the CITIIS 2.0 Challenge, a flagship initiative aimed at fostering circular economy solutions across Indian cities.

A senior official said the project aims to revolutionize waste management practices through an Integrated Solid Waste Management (ISWM) facility, set to be established at the Achan dumpsite in Srinagar.

An official document revealed that CITIIS 2.0 is the second phase of the City Investments to Innovate, Integrate and Sustain (CITIIS) program which has been conceived by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) in collaboration with the French Development Agency (AFD), KfW Development Bank, the European Union (EU), and National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA) to supplement climate initiatives taken by the Government of India through a unique model.

“Under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) approach, the ISWM facility will be developed based on the Design, Build, Finance, Operate, and Transfer (DBFOT) model. Private investors will inject capital for infrastructure development, with operational rights spanning a fixed concession period”, states the document.

As per the officials the project's financial viability will be bolstered by an upfront Viability Gap Funding (VGF) component, sourced from the CITIIS 2.0 funds, covering approximately 30% of the estimated project cost.

Projected to handle a daily waste generation of 650 Tons Per Day (TPD) by 2026, the officials said that the proposed facility will address the gap of 500 TPD of Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) through a comprehensive approach.

“Components include waste pre-processing (RDF Plant), biomethanation for wet waste, wasteto-energy conversion for dry waste, leachate treatment, and a sanitary landfill facility”, the official revealed

According to the document, one of the key highlights of the project lies in its revenue model, where energy generated from the ISWM facility will be supplied to Distribution Companies (DISCOMS) at a fixed tariff, determined through a competitive bidding process. Additionally, revenue streams from by-products such as compost and recyclables will ensure long-term financial sustainability.

As per the reports, with an estimated capital cost of INR 225.24 Crores, the project aligns with the goals outlined by the Swachh Bharat Mission 2.0 guidelines, emphasizing the need for VGF support for transformative waste management endeavors.

The CITIIS 2.0 initiative, designed by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs in collaboration with international partners, represents a pivotal step towards realizing India's climate objectives while fostering economic growth and environmental stewardship at the city level.