Imphal: Solid waste management in Manipur, particularly in Imphal, faces severe challenges, with current systems relying on conventional collection and disposal methods.
Efforts are now underway to modernize this infrastructure by converting a solid waste treatment plant into a natural gas facility.
Imphal generates a significant amount of municipal solid waste (MSW), with about 50% currently uncollected and ending up in rivers, polluting vital water bodies such as Loktak Lake.
Amid these challenges, Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh said leaders are pursuing collective efforts toward a cleaner, greener, and more sustainable state.
In his X post, the Chief Minister wrote, “Called on by the Executive Vice-President of Vaigunth Enertek Pvt. Ltd., Shri S. Vickramjeet Maitei, today at the Secretariat, who presented an innovative approach to solid waste management through conversion into natural gas.”
He added, “Appreciated and lauded his initiative in transforming waste into bio-gas, a sustainable solution for effective waste management. Advised further upgradation and enhancement of operational efficiency to address the rapidly increasing volume of waste and minimise environmental impact.”
He concluded, “Such forward-looking initiatives are crucial in our collective efforts toward a cleaner, greener, and more sustainable Manipur.”
The government is working on transforming the Lamdeng plant into a “Waste-to-Energy” facility to reduce reliance on landfills, aimed at converting non-compostable waste into electricity, the CM said.
The plant, which handles MSW for over 27 Urban Local Bodies (ULBs), has seen intermittent closures due to local community agitation regarding road conditions and untreated waste disposal.
As of August 2025, a sum of Rs 50 crore has been allocated to upgrade and augment the existing solid waste management plant at Lamdeng.
The plant currently processes less than 100 metric tonnes of solid waste per day. Installed in 2014, the machinery is suffering from significant wear and tear.
The government plans to produce electricity in addition to compost from the solid waste.