FCC

Bio-CNG plant coming to Madurai City

2024-03-06

In a notable move towards sustainable waste management and renewable energy generation, administrative approval has been granted by the department of municipal administration to the Madurai corporation for the establishment of a bio-CNG plant near the Vellaikal dumpyard. The ambitious initiative, falling under the Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM 2.0), is projected to incur a cost of Rs 650 million and is expected to revolutionise the city?s approach to wet waste disposal while boosting revenue for the corporation.

According to a senior corporation official, the plant is planned to utilize advanced technologies for the efficient processing of wet waste, converting it into biogas. The biogas will then undergo purification to transform into compressed natural gas (CNG) for sale in bottles. The plant, with a capacity to treat 250 metric tonnes of wet waste daily, is foreseen to generate additional revenue through the sale of bottled CNG. The official further stated, ?The plant will follow the design-build-finance-operate-transfer (DBFOT) model, and tenders are expected to be released within a week.?

In addressing the selection of Vellaikal as the plant site, the official emphasized safety concerns and the suitability of the location, which is surrounded by a compound wall to establish clear boundaries from nearby habitation. The plant will be situated in the area where biomining has been completed, and the land is reclaimed. The official explained, ?Biomining is progressing at a deliberate pace in Madurai; once land reclamation is complete, necessary areas for the bio-CNG plant will be allocated. Currently, the corporation is executing phase 2 of biomining at Vellakal with a budget of Rs 340.95 million.?

Within the Madurai corporation, daily municipal solid waste (MSW) generation ranges from 750 to 800 tonnes, with 350 tonnes constituting wet waste. The official noted, ?While 250 tonnes of wet waste are directed to micro-composting centres, the CNG plant is expected to receive 100 tonnes per day initially, with the potential for more if residents segregate waste properly.?

Civic activists emphasize the significance of resident sensitization regarding waste separation for the success of the corporation?s ambitious project to establish a bio-CNG plant. M Raj Kumar, a civic activist, questioned, ?Most of the micro-composting yards in the city are not receiving wet waste properly for many days. Now, how will the corporation mobilize waste to the CNG plant, which will also be costly as all the waste has to be transported to the CNG plant in Vellaikal??