Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, recently disclosed a groundbreaking initiative where the Nagpur Municipal Corporation generates an annual revenue of Rs 300 crore by recycling and selling toilet water. Speaking in a television interview, Gadkari highlighted the importance of water recycling and its economic potential in urban management.
Gadkari explained that the first successful water recycling project was implemented in Mathura between 2017 and 2019 when he was serving as the Minister for Water Resources, River Development, and Ganga Rejuvenation. Under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model, Mathura’s wastewater was treated and sold to Indian Oil Corporation’s (IOC) Mathura Refinery for Rs 20 crore annually.
The project was based on a 40:60 PPP model, where the government contributed 40% of the investment while private investors funded the remaining 60%. The Mathura city project successfully processed 90 MLD (million liters per day) of wastewater, proving the feasibility of large-scale urban wastewater management.
Before executing the deal, Gadkari engaged with IOC’s chairman to negotiate the water supply terms. He discovered that IOC was already purchasing water from the Uttar Pradesh government at Rs 25 crore annually. By offering recycled water at Rs 20 crore, the initiative not only saved costs for IOC but also set a precedent for sustainable urban water management.
Gadkari emphasized that similar initiatives could revolutionize waste and water management in cities across India. He stated, “If every city recycles wastewater for industrial use, it will create a strong economic model for solid and liquid waste management.”
This initiative has positioned Nagpur as a leading example of innovative urban infrastructure, proving that environmental sustainability and economic growth can go hand in hand.
