Pawan Kalyan Unveils Roadmap to Make Andhra Pradesh a Dumping Yard-Free State

Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan has outlined an ambitious vision to transform the state into a dumping yard-free and environmentally sustainable region by expanding waste-to-energy infrastructure and promoting scientific waste management practices.

During a visit to the Jindal Waste-to-Energy Plant at Kondaveedu in Palnadu district, Pawan Kalyan reviewed the entire process of converting municipal waste into electricity. He interacted with plant officials to understand waste segregation methods, power generation mechanisms, and the utilisation of residual ash in manufacturing construction materials such as bricks.

The Deputy Chief Minister said the state currently generates nearly 7,200 tonnes of dry waste every day , presenting a significant opportunity for both clean energy production and effective waste disposal. He noted that the Kondaveedu facility processes about 1,400 tonnes of dry waste daily and generates 20 MW of electricity , while a similar plant in Visakhapatnam contributes 15 MW to the power grid using waste collected from North Andhra districts.

To strengthen the state's waste management network, the government is planning to establish a waste-to-energy plant every 100 kilometres . Construction has already begun in Kakinada , while additional facilities are proposed for Nellore, Kadapa, Kurnool, Vijayawada, and Tirupati . According to officials, these projects are expected to create substantial employment opportunities for local youth while supporting renewable energy generation.

Pawan Kalyan also emphasised the government's commitment to conducting the upcoming Godavari Pushkaralu in an environmentally responsible manner. He said special efforts would be made to prevent waste from entering the river and to improve sanitation infrastructure in the 268 gram panchayats directly associated with the festival. Training programmes will be organised for local officials to ensure effective waste management along riverbanks and pilgrimage routes.

In addition to electricity generation, the state is exploring the use of biomethanisation plants to convert organic waste such as flowers, fruits, vegetables, and food leftovers into biogas , further reducing landfill dependence.

Highlighting global best practices, the Deputy Chief Minister said Andhra Pradesh would study successful waste management models from Singapore and the Indian city of Indore , which has repeatedly earned recognition under the Swachh Bharat Mission . He directed officials to organise awareness campaigns and cluster-level workshops across villages to encourage waste segregation and demonstrate how local bodies can generate revenue through scientific waste management.

Pawan Kalyan said the government aims to bring about a fundamental shift in waste handling practices from villages to cities, positioning Andhra Pradesh among India's leading environmentally conscious states.