Agra: In a groundbreaking achievement under the Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban (SBM-U), the Agra Municipal Corporation has successfully transformed the Kuberpur dumpsite, once a symbol of urban waste accumulation, into a national model of sustainability — now recognized as the Integrated Waste Management City of Agra. This transformation marks a historic milestone in India’s journey toward clean, green, and resilient urban development.
From Landfill Legacy to Environmental Landmark
Established in 2007 as a conventional landfill, Kuberpur gradually grew into a site of environmental concern, accumulating over 1.9 million metric tons of waste over the years. In 2019, inspired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s Swachh Bharat vision and supported by Chief Minister Shri Yogi Adityanath, the Agra Municipal Corporation launched an ambitious clean-up initiative.
Backed by technical collaboration with SPAAK Super Infra Pvt. Ltd., the legacy waste removal process began using bioremediation and biomining technologies, initiating the largest land reclamation effort in the city’s history.
A Multi-Pronged Approach to Urban Waste Management
By the end of December 2024, the massive clean-up effort had removed the entire 1.9 million metric tons of waste, reclaiming 47 acres of land at an estimated cost of ₹320 crores. The reclaimed land has since been repurposed:
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10 acres developed as green zones using the Miyawaki afforestation technique
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5 acres converted into a modern sanitary landfill for inert waste
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The remainder earmarked for an urban forest and eco-friendly infrastructure
Simultaneously, several high-capacity waste management facilities were operationalized to ensure no fresh dumping occurs:
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A Waste-to-Compost Plant, launched in 2019 with an initial 300 TPD capacity, expanded to 500 TPD
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Four Material Recovery Facilities (MRFs) with a total capacity of 405 TPD
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100% source-level segregation and door-to-door collection made mandatory across the city
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A 65 TPD MRF-cum-Plastic Waste Processing Plant, inaugurated in January 2025, that recycles plastic into affordable agricultural water pipes
Model for Urban Sustainability and Education
Beyond waste management, the Kuberpur site now serves as an educational and awareness center for:
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Students from schools, colleges, and IITs
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Researchers from public and private universities
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Urban planners and environmental scientists
The site embodies an experiential learning hub where sustainable waste management practices are demonstrated in real time, reinforcing the 3Rs – Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.
A National Template for Smart, Sustainable Cities
With the Integrated Waste Management City of Agra, the Agra Municipal Corporation has set a national precedent in:
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Land reclamation and reuse
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Circular economy in waste management
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Ecological restoration and urban afforestation
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People-centered governance and awareness
This model aligns with the core vision of SBM-U 2.0, emphasizing zero-landfill, decentralised processing, and green infrastructure, positioning Agra as a leader in urban environmental governance.
Conclusion:
Agra’s transformation of Kuberpur from a polluted landfill into a green, functional, and educational epicenter is a landmark achievement in sustainable urban development. It reflects the power of visionary municipal leadership, inter-agency collaboration, and community engagement—paving the way for cities across India to replicate and scale such efforts toward a Swachh, Sundar, and Sustainable Bharat.
Source: PIB
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