Gobardhan scheme to benefit Kerala; Centre sets aside Rs 23,731 crore for waste-to-biogas initiative

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Centre's Rs 23,731-crore Gobardhan scheme to convert waste into biogas will also benefit Kerala. The Gobardhan scheme involves converting organic waste, agricultural residues and cow dung into compressed biogas and organic fertiliser. The compressed biogas, which is equivalent to natural gas, will provide a permanent solution to the problem of organic waste in cities.

Plants can be set up in major cities and the gas can be distributed through the existing city gas pipeline. Cooperatives, private investors, startups and small and medium industries will all receive central assistance. Large loans at low interest rates and special concessions for women entrepreneurs are also available. Assistance is also available for waste collection, value addition of organic fertilisers, the use of modern technology and training. This will help avoid dumping waste in public places.

Plants with potential

The Bharat Petroleum plant in Kochi can process 150 tonnes of waste. Similar plants are coming up in Thiruvananthapuram and Kozhikode in a public-private partnership in association with BPCL. They will be able to process up to 200 tonnes of waste a day.

A plant to generate electricity from waste is planned at Kanjikode in Palakkad. There is a Bio-Shakti plant in Malappuram. All these will receive assistance from Gobardhan.

Local bodies as partners

1. Joint projects will be implemented through tripartite agreements between local bodies, private investors and the government. Local bodies do not have to invest money. They have to make 10 acres of land available. The government has to acquire and provide the land.

2. High-quality compressed biogas will be produced from organic waste. It can be used for cooking, as fuel for vehicles and in industries.

3. The residues will be made into quality organic fertiliser and provided to farmers. Air pollution caused by burning waste can also be avoided.
4. As the demand for natural gas is increasing in the transport, domestic, industrial and commercial sectors, dependence on fuel imports can be reduced.

Cost of a biogas plant: Rs 100 crore