MCC to establish BARC Nisargruna biogas plant near Urwa Market

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangalore, Feb 11: Corporation Commissioner K N Vijayaprakash said that the Mangalore City Coporation (MCC) in collaboration with the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) plans to set up a biogas plant in the vicinity of Urwa Market on a trial basis. 

 

A BARC scientist inspected the site on Dec 8, 2009 and recommended that it was ideal for the setting up of a biogas plant with the ability to process 2 tonnes of bio-waste per day, said the commissioner, adding that the BARC technology transfer and collaboration division was promoting the establishment of biogas plants called “Nisargruna” for effective management of solid waste. BARC authorities claim that, unlike conventional biogas plants that can process only human waste and cow dung, Nisargruna plants can process all biodegradable waste. 

The commissioner said that the cost of setting up a Nisargruna plant is Rs 15 - 16 lakh; and about Rs 2 lakh  will be required annually to maintain it. According to BARC Scientist S P Kale the plant requires an area of 100 sq mt and has the capacity of producing 140 - 180 cubic meters of gas and 120 - 150 kg of compost daily, he further added. 

The commissioner informed the media that a few hotels in Mangalore have already agreed to supply waste to the plant. 

Mayor M Shankar Bhat said that the proposal to set up the plant has been submitted to the Standing Committee for Public Health, Education, and Social Justice. The MCC is now awaiting the committee’s report.