11-07-2025
Biomethane plant underperforms due to shortage of waste supply
1
2
3
Guwahati: The five metric tonne capacity biomethanation-cum-electric energy generation plant located on KC Sen Road in Paltan Bazar was designed to be part of Guwahati Municipal Corporation's (GMC) decentralised waste management plan.
The facility, which aimed to convert organic waste into electricity and manure, has failed to achieve its intended output due to operational hurdles.
Mohan Singh, who has been managing the plant since 2020, said the facility currently receives organic waste only from restaurants and hotels, which is grossly insufficient to achieve full operations.
Explaining the process, Singh said kitchen wastes, vegetable waste, fruit peels, and animal manure are collected and fed into a large sealed tank called the digester.
In the absence of oxygen, bacteria decompose the organic matter over a period of 10 days or more to produce biogas. This gas is then cleaned and purified to enhance its methane concentration.
"The sludge we receive isn't enough to produce sufficient gas, and we don't get any supply from garbage collectors," Singh said.
When asked about the issue, newly appointed GMC commissioner MS Lakshmi Priya assured that the civic body has taken note of the situation and is planning to streamline operations and restore the plant's full capacity.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
"아.. 진즉 '이것' 먹을걸.." 2주 만에 52세의 혈당 고민 탈출 실화
당뇨 관리
더 읽기
Undo
According to a response submitted by the state's housing and urban affairs department to the National Green Tribunal last year, the city generates around 550 tonnes of waste per day. During which, the GMC had acknowledged a gap of over 10% between installed capacity and actual utilisation of waste processing facilities.
Shirshendu Sekhar Das, who actively works for waste management in the city, said, "The only reason why the biomethane plant isn't functional is because segregation is always a challenge.
People are either unaware or careless about disposal practices, despite the presence of transfer stations. Even though, the markets in Paltan Bazar and Fancy Bazar generate plenty of organic waste, and the civic body needs to work closely with them, possibly by offering incentives, to ensure regular supply to the plant," he said.
Meanwhile, conservationist Hemen Lahkar, president of the Chatribari Unnayan Samittee, raised concern over the plant's proximity to the Borsola Beel, claiming that it violates the Guwahati Wetland Act of 2008. He added that the area around the beel remains poorly lit, posing safety risks to residents.
