Bhubaneswar, Aug 5: In a bid to tackle waste and promote sustainability, the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) is setting up a dedicated biogas plant at the bustling Unit-1 market in the capital city.
This eco-friendly initiative will transform the 30 tonnes of organic waste generated daily into clean energy, turning trash into a resource.
Currently, BMC runs a Micro Composting Centre (MCC) at the Unit-1 Haat to handle waste collection and processing. Now, the civic body plans to set up a standalone biogas plant on a 3,500 sq. ft. area in partnership with a private agency, with no financial burden on BMC for installation.
The private firm will cover the entire cost of the setup and machinery, while BMC will only be responsible for minimal operational costs related to biogas production.
BMC Deputy Commissioner N. Ganesh Babu stated that the biogas plant will convert organic waste into methane gas, which will be used to generate electricity. This power will not only run the MCC’s equipment but also help reduce the corporation’s monthly electricity costs. Any excess electricity produced may be sold to TP Central Odisha Distribution Limited (TPCODL).
The plant's design has been finalized, and tenders have been issued through the Request for Proposal (RFP) process. The selected agency has been confirmed, and construction is set to begin soon, according to officials.
Additionally, to enhance sanitation at Unit-1 Haat, BMC has decided to double the number of sanitation workers. Currently, 12 workers are deployed, and an additional 12 will be hired soon. With 24 workers in total, they will work in two shifts—morning (until 2 PM) and evening (4 PM to midnight)—to maintain cleanliness throughout the day and night.
