First Plant to Make Coal from Waste in Banaras | 06 Jan 2023

Why In News?

On January 4, 2023, Ajay Ram, executive engineer of Banaras Municipal Corporation of Uttar Pradesh, said that Banaras, famous for religion and culture, will now give the country a plant to make coal from waste. The first plant to make coal from waste is under construction at Ramna in Banaras.

Key Points

• Engineer Ajay Ram said that after the start of the plant at Ramna in Banaras, 200 tonnes of coal will be produced from 600 tonnes of waste per day. This will be the first plant in the country to make coal from waste, which is being constructed by NTPC. Coal will be made from waste in the plant. Its successful test was done in October 2022.
• NTPC is conducting technical testing of one unit of the plant as per the prescribed standards. The first unit of the plant will be commissioned by the end of June. After production, coal will be sold to the concerned companies in the surrounding districts.
• Varanasi generates 600 tonnes of garbage per day on normal days and 800 tonnes on special occasions. It is transported by large trucks to garbage disposal plants outside the city.
• He said that if this project is successful on a three-year trial, then the plant will be set up in other states as well. The plant is being built keeping in mind the next 25 years. The plant will have a capacity to process more than 800 tonnes of waste. The plant is targeted to be commissioned by December 2023.