The proposed compressed biogas (CBG) project near Mandoli Road–Hangarga has run into fresh resistance, with villagers from the surrounding areas launching a strong protest against the plan to process the city’s waste in the region.
On Sunday, more than 100 villagers from Mandoli, Hungarga and nearby localities met Karnataka Minister for Women and Child Welfare Lakshmi Hebbalkar and urged her to stop the project from being established in their villages.
The protest comes days after officials from Gas Authority of India Limited conducted a site inspection of land near the Morarji Desai Residential School for the proposed ₹54.20 crore compressed biogas facility.
During the meeting, the villagers expressed fears that the project could lead to foul smell, pollution, and long-term health hazards in the area. Responding to the concerns, Minister Hebbalkar immediately summoned Municipal Commissioner M. Karthik and Assistant Commissioner Shravan Naik to seek details about the project.
According to sources present at the meeting, both officials initially stated that they did not possess detailed information regarding the proposal. However, after villagers strongly reiterated their opposition and demanded cancellation of the project, the Minister reportedly assured them that the city’s biogas project would not be allowed in Mandoli village.
The assurance brought temporary relief to residents, who have been vocal about their opposition ever since the site inspection was carried out.
The inspected land parcel on Mandoli Road measures around nine acres. GAIL, which has been entrusted with executing the project under the Central Government’s GOBARdhan Scheme, had earlier indicated that a contiguous 10-acre plot was necessary for establishing the facility.
Sources said the process to transfer the land from the Revenue Department to the Belagavi City Corporation—and subsequently to GAIL—was already being initiated.
The Municipal Corporation had been aggressively pursuing the CBG project as an alternative waste-processing solution, especially amid continued opposition to the Turmuri waste depot. However, with residents of Mandoli and Hungarga now openly opposing the move, the future of the ambitious waste-to-energy project once again appears uncertain.