integrated waste management solution in Agra

Agra, home to one of the most visited monuments in the world, the Taj Mahal, is actively taking steps to improve cleanliness and environmental well‑being.

In its mission to create a clean and waste-free city by implementing the 3R principles—Reduce, Reuse, Recycle—Agra Municipal Corporation, under the Swachh Bharat Mission -Urban, has achieved a historic milestone. This success is not just a technological advancement but also an exemplar of environmental conservation, sustainable development, and public awareness.

Way back in 2007, the land at Kuberpur, a small town about 15 km from Agra, functioned as a typical landfill site. Thousands of tons of solid waste collected daily by the municipal corporation were dumped here. Over the years, this dumpsite dutifully served the city, but gradually it became a centre of distress itself.

In 2019, the Agra Municipal Corporation took concrete steps to address this serious problem. Under expert technical guidance, the process of removing legacy waste began through bioremediation and biomining technologies. This initiative was executed in collaboration with a construction company, SPAAK Super Infra, gradually breathing new life into the land.

However, the challenge was far from over, as fresh waste continued to be deposited daily. To address this, a 300 TPD (tons per day) waste-to-compost plant was established in 2019, which was later expanded to 500 TPD. In 2023, the Municipal Corporation resolved to completely free the dumpsite and develop it into an Integrated Waste Management City.

Four Material Recovery Facilities (MRFs) with a combined capacity of 405 TPD have been established across the city to streamline waste management. To ensure efficiency, 100% source-level segregation of waste has been implemented, and door-to-door collection of segregated waste has been made mandatory.

Additionally, several specialised waste processing facilities have been set up:

100 TPD Cattle Waste to Compost Plant
5 TPD Vegetable Waste to Compost Plant
8 TPD Incineration Chamber
20 TPD Construction & Demolition (C&D) Waste Processing Plant

By December 2024, approximately 1.9 million metric tons of waste were removed from the dumpsite using bioremediation and biomining, reclaiming about 47 acres of land at an estimated cost of Rs 320 crores.

Clean India

Out of this reclaimed land, 10 acres have been developed with greenery using the Miyawaki afforestation technique. Five acres have been converted into a modern sanitary landfill for the safe disposal of inert waste. The remaining area has been transformed into an eco-friendly zone. Work has begun to develop a 10-acre urban forest.

In January 2025, a 65 TPD MRF-cum-Plastic Waste Processing Plant was inaugurated, where plastic waste is recycled into water pipes that farmers can purchase at affordable prices.

Today, this site is no longer just a dumping ground but the “Integrated Waste Management City of Agra.” It is fully revitalised, serving the city effectively and stands as a national model for environmental protection and urban governance.

The centre has also become an educational and awareness hub where students and researchers from schools, colleges, IITs, research institutes, and private universities learn how sustainable solutions can be developed.

Agra Municipal Corporation’s innovative initiative aligns perfectly with the goals of India’s Swachh Bharat Mission (Urban) 2.0. This effort represents a powerful step toward sustainable waste management, land reclamation, and urban beautification.

An effective integrated waste management solution in Agra can go a long way in ensuring the city’s cleanliness and enhancing the experience for millions of visitors who come to explore its historical monuments and culture.