Gas Production from 130 Tonnes of Waste in Belagavi

Belagavi is set to take a major step in waste management by launching two gas production projects at the Turmuri waste depot. A 30 TPD (tonnes per day) capacity plant will be established by the Gas Authority of India Limited (GAIL). At the same time, a larger 100 TPD facility will be developed under the Smart City-II scheme.

While the contractor for these projects is yet to be finalized, GAIL representatives recently visited Turmuri for a site inspection. The company will fully fund its 30 TPD project, with the city corporation ensuring a steady supply of wet waste. Meanwhile, a portion of the ₹135 crore allocated for Smart City-II will be used for the 100 TPD project, with the city corporation responsible for providing the required 100 tonnes of waste daily.

Once both plants are operational, Belagavi will need to supply 130 tonnes of wet waste per day, which will be processed into industrial-grade gas or CNG. Currently, the city generates around 250–270 tonnes of waste daily, with wet waste being converted into compost at Turmuri. Since its establishment in 2006, the depot initially focused on landfill disposal before shifting to compost production under an agreement with Ramky Enviro (now Resustainability) in 2007.

However, with the new gas production plants, composting operations at Turmuri will be phased out. The Smart City-II initiative includes five solid waste management projects, with gas production from wet waste being a key focus. The delay in appointing a contractor may push back the project timeline, but GAIL’s initiative is expected to commence soon.

To ensure a consistent supply of wet waste, the city corporation is enforcing waste segregation at the source, aiming to streamline collection and avoid additional sorting at the project site. While Belagavi has experimented with small-scale biogas and electricity generation from waste, the city has decided against launching new small-scale projects to avoid competition for waste resources.

The central government has designated GAIL and HPCL to manage waste-to-gas projects in Karnataka. Belagavi has been assigned to GAIL, as the city falls along the Dabhol-Bangalore gas pipeline route. With this strategic advantage, GAIL is set to play a crucial role in transforming Belagavi’s waste management system into an energy-producing initiative.

Source: Sakal